Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2007
http://archive.org/details/americanarchives01forcuoft
iV
6CA"i<-
^merican ^rc|)itie0:
CONSISTING OF
A COLLECTION OF AUTHENTICK RECORDS, STATE PAPERS, DEBATES, AND LETTERS AND
OTHER NOTICES OF PUBLICK AFFAIRS,
THE WHOLE FORMING
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
OF
THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COLONIES;
CAUSES AND ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
AND OF
THE CONSTITUTION OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES,
THE FINAL RATIFICATION THEREOF.
IN SIX SERIES.
FIRST SERIES.
From the Dirscovery and Settlement of the North American
G)lonies, t6 the Revolution in Eng-land, in 1688.
4 SECOND SERIES.
From the Revolution in England, in 1688, to the Cession of
Canada to Great Britain, by the Treaty at Paris, in 1763.
THIRD SERIES.
From the Cession of Canada, in 1763, to the King's Mes-
sage to Parliament, of March 7th, 1774, on the Proceed-
ings in North America.
FOURTH SERIES.
From the King's Message, of March 7th, 1774, to the Decla-
ration of Independence, by the United States, in 1776.
FIFTH SERIES.
From the Declaration of Independence, in 1776, to the De-
finitive Treaty of Peace with Great Britain, in 1783.
SIXTH SERIES.
From the Treaty of Peace, in 1783, to the final ratification
of the Constitution of Government for the United States,
proposed by the Convention, held at Philadelphia, in 1787.
PREPARED AND PUBLISHED UNDER AUTHORITY OF AN ACT OF CONGRESS.
i4i
^
^
AMERICAN AR€HITE8t
dPourtj) giertcs.
CONTAINING
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
OF
THE ENGLISH COLONIES IN NORTH AMERICA,
FKOM
THE KING'S MESSAGE TO PARLIAMENT, OF MARCH 7, 1774,
TO
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
BY
THE UNITED STATES.
VOLUME I.
PUBLISHED BY M. ST. CLAIR CLARKE AND PETER FORCE,
UNDER At;THOBlTY OF AN ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED ON THE SECOND OF MARCH, 1833.
«ie<tmjJJ>e
WASHINGTON, DECEMBER, 1837.
«l^«
£
m
PEEFACE
We noAv submit to the People of the United Stales, the first fruits of our long
and arduous lahoui'S. We oflier the present Volume as a specimen of tlie manner in
Mhich our Work will he accomplished. The undertaking in which we have embarked
is, emphatically, a J^ational one : National in its scope and object, its end and aim.
The tendency of the present age has been justly and philosophically designated as
historick. At no former period of the world has this characteristick been so strikingly
manifested. The learning, the industry, and the sagacity of the most profound intellects
have been devoted in exploring the deepest recesses, and in gathering the most widely
scattered rays, for the purpose of pouring their concentrated lights upon the history
of the past. The Annals of the remotest ages, and the most distant countries, have
been examined with equal diligence and learning, and new and valuable lights have
been thrown even upon the antiquities of Egypt, of Greece, and of Borne.
The same tendency has been exhibited in developing the early history of existing
Nations. Ancient records have been disinterred from tlie dust of ages, the most
obscure receptacles of historick materials have been explored, almost obliterated records
have been restored, scattered documents have been collected, and forgotten writers have
been republished. A combined and vigorous effort appears to be making, throughout
tlie civilized Avorld, together, to preserve and to scrutinize all the memorials w Inch can
rescue the history of the past from the obscurity in which time has en^ eloped them.
Nor has this important subject been allowed to depend, exclusively, upon individual
means and private enterprise. In England, and in France especially, the Government
has long since perceived and recognized the truth, that the national character and the
national interests, are intimately connected Avith the success of these undertakings. 'I'he
Publick Offices have been laid open and their rich treasures submitted to the inspection
of the inquirer after historick truth. With a liberality deserving of the highest com-
mendation, this privilege has been extended as well to foreigners as to natives, and
Brequigny and Von lieaumer aie not the only instances in which the records of one
Nation have been employed by the historian of another. This liberty has, in several
instances, been accorded to our own citizens, and the Publick Offices in London have
been opened, and Documents allowed to be transcribed, for the purpose of verifying the
general history of the United States.
Nor has this publick interest been confined within these limits. Large pecuniary
expeuditm'es have been made with the view to promote these objects, and to aid in publi-
cations for the completion of w hich the resources of individuals were inadequate. In some
instances Governments have, themselves, undertaken the work, and by the instrumentality
of their own agents, and the employment of their own means, have laboured in the dis-
semination of such information as was calculated to illustrate their past history. The
Record Commission of England, and that oi-ganized in France, under the supervision of
the Minister of Publick Instruction, in conformity with the recommendation of 31. Gni-
zot, are too well known to require more than this general allusion to them.
If in Europe there exist sufficient motives to prompt to such undertakings, how infi-
nitely more weiglity and more efficient ought they to be among us. These inquiries, ori-
ginating in the liberal and inquisitive cliaracter of the age, may be expected to be most
zealously pursued in those countries where freedom prevails. Designed, as they are, to
exhibit the fundamental principles of government, tlie^^ might naturally be expected to be
the most warmly cherished, where free institutions exist. Independently of this, all our
historical memorials are of comparati> ely recent date, they are written in a language fa-
miliar to all, they tend to illustrate existing institutions, and a bistorj^ w hich still retains all
its personal interest. A complete collection of the materials for a history of this country
would not only be a proud monument to the memory of our ancestors, w hose deeds they
commemorate and whose opinions they embody, but would serve as an invaluable guide
to us and to our posterity, by exhibiting the vital spirit w hich has pervaded the past, the
PREFACE
true foundations upon m liicli our institutions rest, and the essential principles upon which
their existence and perpetuity depend. It would furnish an ample vnidication of those
Mho have preceded us upon this sta-e,from the imputations Mhich ignorance and prejudice
have lal)oure(l to cast upon their motives and their acts ; and our free institutions, hy hav-
ing their foundations laid open to the world, and the whole plan of their structure exhi-
bifed, will recommend tliemselves, more and more, to the philosophical inquirer, and to
the aflVction and imitation of mankind.
If history he philosophy teaching hy example, how infinitely instructive must be the
history of such a country as this. The example which it presents is the purity of prin-
cipk', the singleness of effort, the stern adherence to constitutional right, the manly sub-
ordination to law, tile indignant hostility to usurpation, which are manifested in every page
of our past history ; the philosophy it inculcates is — that the same purity of motive, the
same respect for lawful authority, the same opposition to tyranny, the same vigilance in
detecting the first insidious approaches of despotism, the same stem resolution in resist-
ing its progress, which made us a Nation, are equally essential, as the means of preserving
those liberties our fathers beciueathed to us, and those institutions which they framed.
Even to this day much ignorance and much misapprehension prevail as to the princi-
ples of the American Revolution, and the true character and tendency of our institutions.
Nor is this ignorance altogether confined to foreigners, it exists, to a great extent, among
ourselves. By many superficial persons, it is supposed that the American Revolution
began with the battle of Lexington, and terminated with the evacuation by the British
Troops of these Unileil Stales. It seems to be the opinion of such, that the whole his-
tory of that IJevolution is to be found in the narrative of the campaigns of that War.
Widely diflerent from this is the truth, as developed by history; widely different was the
opinion of those who mainly aided in severing the connexion with Great Britain. " What
do we mean by the American Revolution ?" asks one of the most prominent actors in
those days : " Do we mean the American War? The Revolution was effected before the
" War commenced. The Revolution was in the mind and heart of the people. The
"i-adical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was
" the real American Revolution."
Even this language may, without due reflection, be understood in a sense not contem-
plated by its illustrious author. A full and careful examination of the history of the
times will abundantly show, that so far as regards the nature and extent of their rights,
and the foundations upon which they were claimed, there was, substantially, no revolution
or change in the principles of the American People. The first emigrants to these shores
brought with them, in their full vigour, in their original purity, and in their complete deve-
lopment, the principles of the American Revolution. They abandoned their native homes,
they crossed the ocean, braved the horrours of an inhospitable clime, encountered the
perils of the tempest, of war, and of famine, to escape the burthen of governmental op-
pression. They braved all, and encountered all, in the same cause for wliich their sons
sul)sequently fought and bled. From the moment they placed their feet upon the soil
of this Western Hemisphere, they asserted and maintained their independency of the
Parliamentary power of taxation, and denied, to that extent, the authority of a Legisla-
ture in which they Avere not, themselves, represented. Although the Colonies were, ori-
ginally, settled by individual enterprise, and by insulated rather than combined efforts,
yet the Colonists, at a very early period, perceived the advantages of union in repelling or
resisting a common foe.
The Colonial history is replete with evidence of the truth of the preceding remarks.
- u deeply rooted and how Avidely diffused,
even at these remote periods, were the true and essential principles which, subsequently
expanding into maturity, produced the fruits of the American Revolution. In 1696 a
pamphlet was published, recommending the imposition of taxes in the Colonies by au-
thority of Parliament. It did not escape the notice of the vigilant friends of American
Liberty. Two answers to this publication appeared, which seem to have attracted gene-
ral attention, and in which the docu-iuewas broadly asserted and maintained, that no
such right existed in Parliament, because the Colonies were not represented in that body,
riie idea of combining their efforts in matters of common interest to all may be traced
iKick to a period nearly as remote. In 1690 a communication was addressed by the
General Court ot\MassucliU8elts to the Governours of the neighbouring Colonies, desiring
them to appoint Commissioners "to meet, advise, and conchide upon suitable methods
PREFACE.
in assisting each other, for the safety of the whole land." Such a meeting was, accord-
ingly, held, and evidence exists inducing the belief, tliat it was styled by the now familiar
and revered name of Congress.
Nor did the principles for which the Colonists contended originate on this side of the
Atlantick. The doctrine that representation and taxation -were essentially and indissolu-
bly connected, was claimed as a portion of English Liberty, as interwoven in the very
structure of the English Constitution, and as recognised among the most ancient and
firmly established principles of the Common Law. It was no innovation, serving as a
cloak for rebellion and revolution. It was drawn from the most ancient and pure foun-
tains of Liberty, and sanctioned by the authority of the most eminent judicial characters
in the British Parliament.
It is a source of honest pride, in reverting to the contemporaneous history of England,
to contrast the characters of the individuals who, at times, it is true, with some modifica-
tions, yet concurring in the great and essential principles upon which our ancestors placed
themselves, sustained the doctrines which were designated as .fimerican, with those Avho
originated and defended those measures of the Ministry which drove the Colonists first
to resistance, and, finally, to a dissolution of the political connexion by which tbey had
so long been bound to the Mother Country. Such an examination will conduct to the
conclusion, that had the questions upon Avhich the controversy turned, assumed a judicial
instead of a political character, and been carried for decision before the English Courts,
tlie same eminent Judge, who first decided against the legality of general warrants, a\ ould
have pronounced it to be the law of the land that tliese Colonists were not subject to the
taxing power of Parliament.
The Work, of which the present volume is a specimen, will cleai'ly imfold and develop
the whole foundation of American principles, and will exhibit to the Avorld the most conclu-
sive evidence that they were, without exception, grounded in strict right, based upon con-
stitutional Law, and upon the well settled doctrines of the English Government : that there
was no taint or tinge of anarchy, of insubordination to all authority, no novelty, no inno-
vation. The important, practical truth will be clearly deducible from these premises,
that if such be the foundations they must ever constitute the support of our institutions.
Their beautiful simplicity, their fair proportions, their majestick symmetry, and their
stable grandeur, will equally recommend them to our love and veneration, and to the
respect and imitation of others.
In the examination of the contents of these Volumes, a casual observer may, perhaps,
at the first view, be struck with the character of much of the material which Ave have col-
lected. A more mature consideration will satisfy, we apprehend, every mind, that al-
though much of it has been drawn from perishable and ephemeral sources, no faithful
portrait of the times could be presented, formed from other ingredients.
A distinguished foreign jurist has said, that laws are not to be created, but must create
themselves ; and the observation is equally true in its application to all that comes within
the scope of legislation, whether political or municipal in its immediate character. Biirlie
has, with his accustomed philosophical sagacity, remarked, that " to follow, not to force,
"the publick inclination, to give a direction, a form, a technical dress, and a specifick sanc-
" tion to the general sense of the community, is the true end of legislation."
If this be true in any country, and under any institutions, most emphatically is it true,
and ever has been true, among us. Without concurring altogether in the observation of
De Tocqueville, iha.i the journals are the only historical monuments of the United States^
it may, without fear of contradiction, be asserted, that there exist no sources of histori-
cal information in a free and enlightened country, so rich and so valuable, as its publick
journals, and the proceedings and debates of its publick bodies and associations. It is
peculiarly the case, at such times as those comprehended within the scope of our Work.
Constitutions were to be formed, the whole frame of Government to be constructed, legis-
lative bodies to be organized, and in this preliminary action, as well as in the movements of
tlie machine when brought into life, publick opinion was to be the efficient and vital prin-
ciple. This publick opinion must, necessarily, be created, as well as manifested, through
the instrumentality of the means which have been indicated.
It was urged on more than one occasion and by high authority in England, that the Ame-
rican contest originated in, and was sustained by, the selfish or ambitious designs of a few
leading individuals. That personal interest gave it birth, and sustenance, and support. This
was only one of the palpable misrepresentations and gross delusions of the times. The pre-
sent Work will show, beyond the possibihty of future rational doubt, that the roots of Ame-
rican freedom had penetrated into every corner of our land and drew their active and living
nourishment from every family fountain. Every reader of this compilation will perceive as
PREFACE.
oue of the most distinctly marked facts which it establishes, that the American Revolution
was the act of the whole American People, and that all our institutions are the w^ork of the
same creator. This we esteem as one of the most precisely taught lessons of our history, and
if properly appreciated and applied, the most valuable which it inculcates. We shall learn
that unless the People, as such, had worked out their own rescue from the oppression, which
was rather seen in perspective than actually endured, all the personal influence and intellect
of the great men of the day would have failed to accomplish this result. Happy will it be
for our beloved country, if, drawing the obvious inference from this history of the past, every
American citizen shall be impressed with the conviction that as he is individually interested,
in the blessings which freedom confers, so there is imposed upon him the personal duty and
sacred trust of vigilantly watching and manfully sustaining that liberty which has been trans-
mitted to him.
It would be unnecessary, on this occasion, to enter into a minute detail of the sources from
which we have drawn the materials of this compilation. It may not be unnecessary, how-
ever, to observe that, in the prosecution of eur labours, we have, personally, examined the
publick records in each of the thirteen original States. We regret to say, that we have found
these, in some instances, in a lamentable state of deterioration, confusion, and decay ; many
important documents and publick proceedings appear to be irretrievably lost. We have,
however, the satisfaction of believing, that the inquiries and examinations we have instituted,
have, in some instances, been instrumental in rescuing many of inestimable value from the
very jaws of destruction : and, in others, in awakening a feeling of interest in the memorials
of our past history, which promises to result in a more persevering search for such as may
still remain in existence, and a more careful preservation of such as have survived the haz-
aids to which they have been exposed. No doubt is entertained, but that there still exist,
not only in publick places of deposite, but in family archives, papers of great importance as
illustrating the history of the times, and we would earnestly press upon individuals, in whose
possession such documents may be found, a minute examination among them, and a careful
preservation of such as possess general interest ; more particularly, the correspondence of
the members of the various Committees, Conventions, Assemblies, and Congresses. Any
communication made to the Editor of copies of such documents, or a notification of their
existence, with the liberty of inspecting and using them, will confer not only a personal
favour, but promote the general good. Papers belonging to the period of time embraced by
the present Volume, which may be obtained hereafter, will be inserted in a Supplement to
this Series of the work.
Washington, December, 1837.
CONTENTS.
PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT ON THE KINGS MESSAGE OF
THE 7th OF MARCH, 1774.
1774.
March
7.
11,
16,
23,
30,
April
14,
15,
House of Lords.
The King's Message relating to the Disturbances
in America, and requesting Parliament to make
provision for better securing the execution of
the Laws, and the just dependence of the Col-
onies upon the Cron-n and Parliament, -
Papers, relating to the Disturbances in America,
laid before the House by the Earl of Dart-
mouth—
From Massachusetts Bay,
From New- York,
From South Carolina,
From New-Hampshire,
From the Admiralty,
From the War Office,
From the East India Company,
From the Treasury,
Address to the King ordered.
More Papers submitted by the Earl of Dartmouth,
Papers relating to the Disturbances in America,
to be considered on the 17th,
Consideration postponed to the 24th,
Consideration further postponed,
Committee ordered to inquire into the Proceed-
ings of Massachusetts Bay,
Papers relating to the Disturbances in Massachu-
setts Bay referred to the Committee,
Lords who formed the Committee, •
Address to the King for all Papers relating to
Disturbances in Massachusetts Bay, received
from Officers in his Majesty's service there,
from July 7, 1766, which have not already
been laid before the House,
Papers called for in the Address of yesterday,
sent by the King's command.
Referred to the Committee appointed on the 30th
11
11
March
14,
of March, ....
.
12
20, Report of the Committee,
-
12-31
House of Commons.
larch The King's Message,
-
32
7, Papers presented by Lord North,
•
32
Lord North's Speech on presenting the
Papers,
222
Motion for an Address to the King,
-
32
Debate — Lord Clare,
.
33
Mr. Dowdeswell,
33
Governour Pownall,
-
33
Mr. E. Burke, - ' •
.
33
Mr. Solicitor General,
.
34
Mr. E. Burke,
-
34
24,
Lord George Germain,
.
■ 34
General Conway,
-
• 35
25.
Colonel Barre,
.
• 36
Address ordered, - . . .
-
• 36
ON THE BOSTON PORT BILL.
House of Commons.
March The King's Message, and Papers presented this
day, to be considered on the 1 1th,
Papers presented by Lord North,
Message and Papers considered, and ordered for
further consideration on the 14th, -
Petition from William Bollan, Agent for Massa-
chusetts, presented, . - - . .
Gallery of the House cleared, . - . .
Message and Papers considered,
Speech of Lord North,
Fourth Series.
7
11
14,
35
35
35
35
36
37
37
18,
21,
23,
Motion by Lord North for leave to bring in Bos-
ton Port Bill,
Debate — Mr. Grosvenor,
Governour Johnstone,
Lord North,
Mr. Dempster,
Mr. Sawbridge,
Mr. Byng,
Mr. R. Fuller,
Mr. Dowdeswell,
Mr. Henry Cavendish,
Captain Phipps,
Lord George Cavendish,
Colonel Barr^,
Motion agreed to,
Committee to bring in the Bill,
Further consideration of Message and Papers re-
ferred to Committee of the Whole House, on
Friday next, the 18th, . . . .
Lord North presented the Bill,
Read the first time,
Second reading ordered on the 21st, -
Motion to print the Bill rejected.
Consideration of Message and Papers postponed
to the 23d,
The Bill read the second time,
To be considered in Committee of the Whole, on
the 23d,
Order for Committee of the Whole on the Mes-
sage and Papers discharged.
Message and Papers referred to Committee of the
Whole on the Bill,
House in Committee of the Whole on the Bill,
Debate — Mr. Fuller, .....
Mr. Herbert,
Lord North,
Mr. Gascoigne, ....
Mr. Montague, ....
Mr. Byng,
Mr. Stanley,
Mr. Dempster, ....
Lord North,
Mr. Ward,
Mr. Jenkinson, ....
General Conway, . - - -
Mr. Fuller, - - - - • -
Mr. Charles James Fox, -
Captain Phipps, ....
Lord North,
Colonel Barr^, ....
Bill reported to the House, . . - -
Third reading of the Bill ordered for to-mor-
row, ..--•--
Petition from William Bollan, Agent for Massa-
chusetts, offered by Mr. Crosbie, -
House refuse to receive it, . . . -
Notice of the rejection of this Petition, (Note,) -
Petition of several Natives of North America,
against the Bill, presented and read.
Bill read the third time, - - - - -
Motion of Mr. Charles James Fox, to strike out
a clause of the Bill, - - - - -
Rejected -------
Motion of Mr. Charles Fox to strike out another
clause of the Bill,
Rejected, - - - ' .,, "
(Question on the passage of the Bui,
Debate — Mr. Dowdeswell, - • - -
Mr. Welbore Ellis, - - - -
Mr. Edmund Burke,
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
40
40
40
40
40
41
41
41
41
41
41
41
41
41
41
41
42
43
43
44
44
44
44
44
44
45
45
45
45
45
Mr. Van, 45
46
46
46
46
46
46
47
47
48
48
48
48
49
49
49
50
XIX
1774.
May
11.
CONTENTS.
XX
Speech
51
5'2
52
5-2
52
52
52
53
57
07
57
56
58
58
59
59
59
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
61
Debate — Mr. Grey Cooper, -
Mr. Anthony Ikcon,
Governour Pownall,
Lord John Cavendish,
Mr. T. Towmshend, -
Mr. Sawbridge,
Lord Norili,
Governour Johnstone,
Mr. Sawbridge,
Lord North,
The Bill passed, " ' " ,
Remarks ou Governour Johnstone's
(Note,)
House of Lonls.
March Boston Port Bill received from the Commons, •
26, Read the first time, - - - " "
Second reading ordered on the 28th, and the
Lords summoned, ''''.'
28, Petition of Suphrn Sayre and others. Natives of
America, presented by Lord Wycombe, -
Papers relating to the Disturbances in America,
read, -------
Bill read the second time, . . - -
Motion to commit the Bill, after long debate,
agreed to,
Committed to a Committee of the Whole House
for to-morrow,
29, Considered in Committee of the Whole, -
Reported to the House,
Third reading ordered to-morrow,
30, Petition of William Bollan, Agent of Massachu-
setts, presented by the Earl of Stair,
Mr. Bollan heard at the Bar of the House against
the Bill, -
Bill read the third time,
Passed, ....---
31, Royal assent to the Bill,
Petition of Natives of North America, to the
King, against the Bill, . . . -
" An Act to discontinue in such manner, and for
such time, as are therein mentioned, the land-
ing and discharging, lading or shipping, of
Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, at the Towti,
and within the Harbour of Boston, in the Prov-
ince of Massachusetts Bay, in North Ame-
rica," 61-66
ON THE BILL FOR BETTER REGULATING THE GOVERNMENT
OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
House of Commons.
March Committee of the Whole House ordered on the
25, King's Message of March 7, and Papers pre-
sentwi by Lord North, - - - - 65
Papers presented November 28, and December 7,
1768, January 20, 1769, and May 7, 1770, re-
lating to his Majesty's Colonies in North Ame-
i ■ rica, referred to the Committee, - - - 65
Massachusetts Bay Charter, granted by King
William and Q,ueen Mary, presented to the
House on the 22d of January, 1740, referred
to the Committee, 65
28, House in Committee on the Message and Pa-
pers, --..-.-65
Lord North's Speech, 65
His motion for leave to bring in a Bill for better
regulating the Gtovemment of Massachusetts
Bay, 66
Debate — Mr. Byng, 66
Sir. F. Norton, (Speaker,) ■ - - 67
Lord North, 67
Mr. Stephen Fox, - - - - 67
Lord George Germain, - - - 67
Lord North, 68
Mr. Pownall, 68
Lord North's motion agreed to, ... Qg
Committee to prepare and bring in the Bill, - 68
April The Bill presented by Lord North, - • - 68
15, Debate — Lord North, 68
Mr. R. Fuller, 69
Mr. Dempster, 69
Lord North, 69
Mr. Dowdeswell, - - - - 69
Governour Pownall, - - - 69
The Bill read the first time, - - • - 70
Second reading ordered for the 22d, - - • 70
Bill ordered to be printed, - • • - 70
1774.
April
19,
21.
25,
27,
28,
Address to the King, for copies of Acts of the
General Court of Massachusetts Bay, for sum-
moning, returning, and regulating the choice
of Grand and Petit Jurors, and copies of all
other Acts of the said General Court, for the
regulation of Townships and Town Meetings,
Address to the King, for Letters and other Pa
pers,
The Letters and other Papers presented by Lord
North, "
C)rdor of the Day, for the second reading of the
Bill, read,
Debate— Mr. Fuller,
Sir George Savile, -
Mr. Wel'bore Ellis, -
General Conway,
Lord North,
Sir George Yonge, -
Governour Johnstone,
Mr. C. Jenkinsoii,
Mr. Harris,
Sir Edward Astley, - • ■
Mr. Ward,
Governour Pownall,
Mr. Rigby,
Governour Pownall,
Mr. Charles James Fox,
Sir Gilbert Elliot, -
Sir Richard Sutton, -
The Bill read the second time.
To be considered in Committee of the Whole
House, on the 27th,
Acts of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, pre
sented to the House pursuant to the Address to
the King, of the 19th,
House in Committee on the Bill,
Report of Committee to be received to-morrow,
Petition of William Bollan, Agent for Massachu
setts Bay, offered by Mr. Dowdeswell,
Debate — Mr. Dowdeswell,
Sir George Savile,
Lord North, ....
The House refuse to receive the Petition, -
Entries in the Journals of the House, of 9th of
November, 1696, 19th of March, 1722, and 22d
of March, 1722, read,
Motion the Report of the Committee of the Whole
House be received this day four months,
Rejected,
Report of the Committee of the Whole House re-
ceived, .......
Bill ordered to be engrossed, . - . -
Third reading of the Bill ordered for Monday
next,
May 2, Petition of several Natives of America, presented
by Sir George Savile,
Motion for the third reading of the Bill,
Debate — Mr. Dunning, -
Sir William Meredith,
Mr. Stanley,
Mr. T. To\vnshend, -
Colonel Barre, -
Mr. Stephen Fox,
Marquis of Carmarthen, -
Mr. St. John, -
Mr. Byng,
Mr. Rigby,
General Conway,
Lord George Germain,
Mr. Charles Fo.x,
Mr. Attorney General Thurlow,
Mr. Edmund Burke,
Lord North,
Sir George Savile,
Bill read the third time, and passed, -
House of Lords.
May 3, Bill for the better regulating the Government of
Massachusetts Bay, received from the Com-
mons,
Read the first time,
Read the second time.
Considered in Committee of the Whole,
Reported, with Amendments, -
Amendments agreed to, -
Third reading ordered for to-morrow.
Petition from several Natives of America pre-
sented,
29,
6,
9,
10,
11,
70
70
70
71
71
71
71
72
72
73
73
73
74
74
74
74
76
76
77
77
77
77
77
77
79
79
79
79
80
80
80
81
81
81
81
81
83
83
84
84
85
85
87
87
87
88
88
89
89
90
90
90
91
91
91
92
92
92
92
92
92
92
92
w
XXI
1774.
May
11.
CONTENTS.
XXIt
10,
19.
20,
Petition from William Bollan, Agent of Massa-
chusetts Bay, presented, ....
Motion that Mr. Bollan be called in, and heard
at the Bar,
After debate, Rejected,
Bill read the third time, and, after long- debate,
passed, .......
Protest,
Notice of the proceedings of the Lords on the
Bill, (Note,)
Amendments agreed to by the House of Com-
mons, on the 13th,
Petition from Natives of America, in London,
against the passage of the Bill, presented to
the King, --....
The King's assent to the Bill,
Speech of the Bishop of St. Asaph, intended to
have been spoken on the Bill,
"An Act for the better regulating the Govern-
ment of the Province of the Massachusetts
Bay, in New England," - - - 104-112
92
92
93
93
93
93
96
9G
96
97
ON THE BILL FOR THE IMPARTIAL ADMINISTRATION OP JUS-
TICE IN THE PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETTS DAY.
House of Commons.
March The King's Message of March 7th, and sundry
28, other Papers, to be considered in Committee
of the Whole, on the 13th of April, - - 111
April Order for Committee of the Whole postponed to
13,
21.
the 15th, Ill
Papers presented by Lord North, - - - 1 1 1
House in Committee on the Message and Papers, 1 12
Lord North's Speech, 112
His motion for leave to bring in a Bill for the
Impartial Administration of Justice in Massa-
chusetts Bay, 113
Debate — Colonel Barr^, - - - - 113
Mr. Solicitor General Wedderbum, - 115
Captain Phipps, - - - - 116
Mr. T. Townshend, - - - 116
Mr. Dowdeswell, - - - - 117
Lord Carmarthen, - - . - 117
Lord North, 117
Captain Phipps, - - - . - 117
General Conway, - • - - 117
Mr. Van, 118
Lord North's motion agreed to, - - - 118
Committee appointed to prepare and bring in
the Bill, 118
25,
The Bill presented by Lord North, - • - 118
Debate — Mr. Sawbridge, - - - - 118
Lord North, 118
Sir Thomas Frankland, - - - 1 19
Mr. Byng, 119
Lord Beauchamp, - - - - 119
Mr. Sawbridge, - - - - 1 19
Second reading of the Bill ordered on the 25th, - 119
The Order, for the second reading of the Bill,
read, 120
Debate — Mr. Dowdeswell, - - - - 120
Mr. Dyson, . . . , . 120
Lord North, 120
Mr. Cavendish, - - - - 120
Colonel Barre, - - - - 120
The Bill read the second time, - - - 120
Committee of the Whole House on the Bill, or-
dered for the 29th, 120
The Bill considered in Committee of the Whole, 120
Report of the Committee to be received on Mon-
day next, (May 2,) 120
May 2, Petition of several Natives of America, presented
by Sir George Sa-vdle, - . - - 120
Report of Committee of the Whole postponed, - 120
Report of Committee of the Whole received, - 120
Amendment proposed by Mr. Wallace, - - 120
Debate — Mr. Dunning, - . . - 121
Mr. Wedderbum, - . . - 121
Mr. Edmund Burke, - - -121
Mr. W.Burke, - - . - 121
Mr. Stanley, 121
Mr. T. Townshend, - - . . 122
Mr. Cornwall, 122
Mr. Moreton, 122
Mr. Phipps, 122
Mr. Skynner, 122
Sir Richard Sutton, - - - -123
29,
4,
177-1.
May
4.
Debate — Mr. Charles Fox, - . - - 123
Captain Phipps, - - - - 123
Sir George Savile, - - - - 123
Mr. Sk}-nner, 123
Motion to amend, by Mr. Wallace, wthdrawn, - 123
Standing rule for exclusion of strangers strictly
enforced, (Note,) 123
Engrossment of the Bill ordered, - - - 124
Motion to print the Bill negatived, - - - 124
Third reading of the Bill ordered for the 6th, - 124
G, Order read, for third reading of the Bill, - - 124
Debate — Mr. Dempster, - - . - 124
Mr. Grey, 125
Mr. Paulet, 125
Mr. Sawbridge, - - - - 125
Colonel Barr6, - - - - 125
Bill read the third time, - - - - 126
Amendment adopted, on motion of Mr. Pultney, 126
Debate — Mr. Fuller, 126
Mr. H. Cavendish, - - - - 126
The Bill passed, 126
House of Lords.
May 9, Bill for Impartial Administration of Justice in
Massachusetts Bay, received from the House
of Commons, 126
Read the first time, 127
13, Read the second time, 127
16, Considered in Committee of the Whole, - - 127
Third reading ordered for the 18th, and the
Lords summoned, 127
17, Papers presented by the Earl of Dartmouth, - 127
18, The Bill read the third time, - - - - 127
Petition from William Bollan, Agent for Massa-
chusetts Bay, presented, .... 127
Motion, that Mr. Bollan be heard at the Bar, af-
ter debate, rejected, 127
Motion, that the Bill do pass, - - - - 127
Debate — Earl of Buckinghamshire, - - 127
Lord Shelburne, - - - - 127
Duke of Manchester, - - - 127
Marquis of Rockingham, - - - 127
Duke of Richmond, - - - - 128
The Bill passed, 128
Protest, 128
Notice of the Debates on this Bill, (Note,) - 128
20, The King's assent to the Bill, - - - - 128
"An Act for the Impartial Administration of
Justice in the cases of Persons questioned for
any acts done by them in the Execution of the
Law, or for the Suppression of Riots and Tu-
mults, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay,
in New England," .... 129-132
ON THE MOTION FOR THE REPEAL OF THE PUTY ON TEA.
House of Commons.
April Mr. Fuller's motion for a Committee of the Whole
19, to take into consideration the Repeal of the Du-
ty of three pence per potmd on '
Debate— Mr. Fuller,
rea.
- 133
- 133
Mr. Pennant, -
- 133
Mr. Rice,
- 133
Captain Phipps,
- - 133
Mr. Stephen Fox,
- 134
Mr. Cornwall,
- 134
Mr. Edmund Burke,
- 135-163
Mr. Wedderbum,
- 163
Mr, E. Burke.
- 164
Mr. Charles Fox, -
- 164
Lord Beauchamp,
- 164
General Burgoyne, -
- 164
Mr. T. Townshend,
• 164
Lord Clare, -
- 165
Mr. Buller, -
- 165
Mr. Frederick Montague
- 165
Colonel Barr^,
- 165
Lord North, -
- 166
Mr. Dowdeswell, -
- 166
Mr. Fuller's motion rejected, -
- 166
ON THE BILL FOR QUARTERING TROOPS IN AMERICA.
House of Commo-ns.
April Leave granted, and Committee appointed, to pre-
29, pare and bring in a Bill providing suitable
Quarters for Troops in America, - - 165
ilfay 2, The Bill presented by Lord Barrington, - - 165
Read the first time, 165
XXIII
1774.
May 4, Read the second time, . - - •
5, Considered in Committee of the Whole, -
6, Report of Committee of the Whole received,
9, Bill read the third time, and passed,
CONTENTS.
XXIV
165
166
167
167
Home of Lords.
Jfay9,Bill for Guartering Troops in America, received
from the House of Commons, • - - 167
Read the first time, 167
12, Read the second time, 167
16, Considered in Committee of the Whole, • - 167
Third reading ordered for the 18th, - - 167
18, Third reading postponed to the 26th, - -167
26, Rf>ad the third time, 167
Lord Chatham's Spi>ech against the passage of
the Bill, 167
The Bill passed, 169
J»»e 2, The King's assent to the Bill, - - - 170
" An Act for the better providing suitable Quar-
ters for Officers and Soldiers in his Majesty's
service in North America," - • • 170
ON THE BILL FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF QUEBECK.
Hoiist of Lords.
May 2, Bill for the government of Quebeck, presented
by the Earl of Dartmouth, - - - 169
Read the first time, 169
3, Address to the King for copies of Instructions
to Governours in America, ... 170
4, Second reading of the Bill ordered, and the
Ijords smmnoned, 170
6, Copies of Instructions to Governours of Cluebeck,
Nova Scotia, New- Hampshire, New- York,
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia, East Florida, and West Florida, laid
before the House, 171
12, Bill read the second time, - - - - 171
13, Considered in Committee of the Whole, - - 171
16, Report of Committee of the Whole received, • 171
17, Bill read the third time, - - - - 171
, Amendment to limit the duration of the Act, of-
fered and rejected, 171
Bill passed, 171
House of Commons,
May Bill for the government of Quebeck, received
18, from the House of Lords, - - - - 171
Read the first time, 171
Ordered to be printed, 171
20, Address to the King, for copies of the Proclama-
tion of 1763, and General Murray's Commis-
sion, 172
26, Presented by Lord North, - - - - 172
Proclamation, of October 7, 1763, - - 172
Greneral Murray's Commission as Captain Gen-
eral and Governour of Quebeck, - - 175
Order read, for second reading of the Bill, - 180
Debate— Mr. T. Townshend, - - -180
Lord North, 181
Mr. Dunning, - • - - 182
Mr. Attorney General Thurlow, - 183
Colonel Barr^, - - - - 184
Lord John Cavendish, - - - 184
Mr. Serjeant Glynn, - - - 184
Mr. Solicitor General Wedderbum, • 184
Mr. Charles James Fox, - - - 184
Mr. Dempster, - - - - 184
Mr. Sawbridge, - - - - 185
The Bill read the second time, - - - 185
Committed to a Committee of the Whole House,
on the 31st, 185
31, Petition of Thomas Penn, on behalf of himself
and John Penn, true and absolute Proprietors
of the Province of Pennsylvania, and the
Three Lower Counties on Delaware, present-
ed by Mr. Baker, 185
Petitioners to be heard by their Counsel, if they
think fit, 186
Petition of Merchants of London trading to Que-
beck, presented by Mr. Mackworth, - - 186
Mr. Mack worth's motion for copies of Reports
from Major General Carleton, Governour,
William Hey, Chief Justice, and Francis Ma-
seres, late Attorney General, of the Province
of Quebeck; and from his Majesty's Advo-
cate General, Attorney General, and Solicitor
General, relating to the said Province, - 186
1774,
May
31,
Debate— Lord North, 187
Mr. T. Townshend, - - - 187
Colonel Barre, - - - - 187
Mr. Altorney General Thurlow, - 1 87
Mr. Edmund Burke, - - - 187
Mr. Mackworth's motion rejected, - - - 188
Address to the King for copies of Reports from
the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plan-
tations, relating to the Province of Cluebeck, 1 88
House in Committee on the Bill, - - - 188
The Committee addressed by Mr. Mansfield,
coiuisel for the Petitioners, against the Bill, 188
Edward Watts examined before the Committee, 188
Samuel Morin examined, - - - -188
June 1, Copies of Representations of the Lords Commis-
sioners for Trade and Plantations, of Septem-
ber 2, 1765, and July 10, 1769, and Repre-
sentation of the Board of Trade, of January 9,
1765, presented by Lord North, - - 188
Copies of Memorials from Quebeck, presented
by Lord North, - - - - - 189
2, Petition from the Inhabitants of Quebeck to the
King, presented by Lord North, - - 1 89
House in Committee of the Whole on the Bill, 189
Examination of General Carleton before the Com-
mittee, 189
Examination of Mr. Maseres, late Attorney Gen-
eral of Quebeck, - - - - -191
Examination of Mr. Hey, Chief Justice of the
Province of Quebeck, - - - - 193
3, Petition of the Common Cotmcil of the City of
London, against the Bill, presented at the Bar
of the House, by the Sherifl^s of the City, - 194
House in Committee on the Bill, ... 194
Examination of M. De Lotbiniere, . . 194
Examination of Dr. James Marriott, his Majes-
ty's Advocate General, .... 195
Motion by Mr. Baker, that General Murray,
late Governour of Canada, do attend the Com.
mittee, 202
Debate— Mr. T. To^\-nshend, - - - 203
Lord North, 203
Mr. T. Townshend, - - - 203
Colonel Barre, .... 203
Captain Phipps, .... 203
Mr. Charles Fox, . - - - 203
Lord North, . - - .203
Mr. Baker's motion rejected, ... 203
6, House in Committee on the Bill, ... 203
Governour Johnstone's objections to the Bill, - 203
Mr. E. Burke's motion to amend, fixing the
Boundary between Canada and New. York,
agreed to, ...... 204
Further Debate on the Boundaries of Quebeck, 204
7, The Bill further considered in Committee of the
Whole House, 204
8, House in Committee on the Bill, ... 205
Debate — Mr. Burke, 205
Lord North, 205
Mr. T. Townshend, . - .205
Mr. Edmund Burke, - • . 205
Colonel Barre, .... 205
New form of oath proposed by Mr. Jenkinson, to
be inserted in the Bill, . - - . 205
Agreed to by the Committee, ... 205
10, The Bill reported to the House, from the Com-
mittee of the Whole, .... 207
T. Penn, Esq., declined being heard by Counsel
on his Petition, presented on the 31st of May, 207
Amendment to the Bill, in relation to the South-
ern Boundary of Canada, ... 207
Mr. Mackworth's motion, to provide for Trials
by Jury in Canada, ..... 207
Debate — Lord North, 207
Mr. Serjeant Glynn, - . . 208
Mr. Attorney General Thurlow, - 208
Mr. Dunning, .... 208
Mr. Solicitor General Wedderburn, 209
Mr. Byng, 209
Governour Johnstone, ... 209
Mr. T. Townshend, - . . 209
Mr. Edmund Burke, . . .209
Mr. Mackworth's motion rejected, . - 211
Motion by Mr. T. Townshend, to make tempo-
rary that part of the Bill which relates to the
Legislative Council, rejected, - . .211
Motion by Mr. Dempster, for establishing rules
to be observed in making Ordinances, rejected, 211
XXV
1774.
June
10,
13,
CONTENTS.
XXVI
June
17,
22,
Motion by Mr. Charles Fox, to secure to tlie
Religious orders, their rights and properties,
rejected,
Motion by Mr. Dempster, to give the Canadians
claiming it, the benefit of Habeas Corpus and
Bail, rejected, ------
Bill read the third time, - - - -
Mr. Cooper's motion that the Bill do pass.
Debate — Mr. Charles Fox, ....
Mr. Cooper,
Mr. Ho^vard, .....
The Bill passed,
House of Lords.
Motion to agree to the Amendments made by the
House of Commons, - - . . -
Debate — Lord Chatham, . . . -
Lord Dartmouth, ....
Lord Lyttelton, ....
Amendments agreed to, -
Lords in the minority, ....
Petition of the City of London to the King,
against the Bill, .....
The King's assent to the Bill, - . - -
The King's Speech to both Houses of Parlia-
ment,
" An Act for making more effectual provision for
the government of the Province of Quebeck, in
North America,"
" An Act to prevent the E.xportation to Foreign
parts of Utensils made use of in the Cotton,
Linen, Woollen and Silk Manufactures of this
Kingdom,"
211
211
211
211
211
211
211
211
211
211
212
212
214
214
215
216
216
216
220
1774
MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE.
March Letter from Mr. Bollan, Agent, to the Hon. John
1 1, Erving, and others. Committee of the Council
of Massachusetts. The King's Message of
March 7 — the publication of his late Petition
to the King — prepares a Petition for the Hotise
of Commons — General Conway and Sir
George Savile decline presenting it — the Lord
Mayor consents to present it, - - - 225
15, Letter from Mr. Bollan to the Committee. His
Petition presented by Sir Joseph Mawbey.
The right of Parliament to Tax the Americans
denied by Lord Camden, - - - - 227
17, Letter continued. Lord North's policy in re-
gard to the Colonies. — Interview with Lord
Camden, 228
18, Letter from Arthur Lee, London, to Richard
Henry Lee. Order of the House of Com-
mons for leave to bring in the Boston Port Bill.
Recommends prudence and firmness to the Co-
lonies. Lord North's declaration, that he would
not listen to complaints from America, until
she was at his feet. Character of Lord North, 228
22, Letter from Mr. Bollan to the Committee. Re-
fused a hearing by the House, on hi.s Petition.
The Port Bill read a second time. The Lord
Mayor and Sir Joseph Mawbey offer to pre-
sent another Petition, .... 229
23, Letter from Mr. Bollan to the Committee. Has
prepared his second Petition. Sir Jos. Maw-
bey took it to present to the Hou.se. Objec-
tions of the Speaker and Clerk. The presen-
tation deferred, 230
31, Letter from a Gentleman in London to his friend
at Annapolis, Md. Encloses the Boston Port
Bill. Little opposition to it in the House of
Commons. The rise or fall of America now
depends on the deliberations of a General Con-
gress from the Colonies. A suspension of
Exports and Imports recorMnended. If Bos-
ton acquiesces the whole will be forced to sub-
mission, 230
April Letter from Mr. Bollan to the Committee. After
2, various difficulties his Petition to the House
of Lords was presented, and he was called in
and heard in support of it. General Gage
appointed Governour of Massachusetts Bay, 231
Letter from Mr. Bollan to the Committee. Re-
sumes his account of the proceedings on the
Port Bill. His second Petition to the House
of Commons presented by Alderman Crosby.
Large majority against receiving it. The Bill
passed by the House of Commons. Interview
with Lord Temple. The Earl of Stair the first
who spoke in favour of the Colonies in the
House of Lords. Lord Stair refers him to the
Duke of Richmond to present his Petition. —
The Duke of Richmond refers him to the
Earl of Dartmouth. Interview with the Earl
of Dartmouth. Petition presented by Lord
Stair. Mr. Bollan heard at the Bar of the
House, in support of his Petition. The Lords
pass the Bill, 231-235
April Letter from Dr. Franklin, London, to Thomas
2, Cushing. After his treatment at the Council
Board he had ceased to act as Agent. Greater
opposition to the Boston Port Bill in the House
of Lords than in the House of Commons. Pe-
titions of the Natives of America dravvTi up
by Mr. Lee. Encloses a Letter from Leeds,
dated March 20 — alarm of the Manufacturers
— Emigrations to America, - - - 235
2, Letter from Arthur Lee, Loudon, to Francis L.
Lee. Punishment of Boston first step towards
reducing all America to an acknowledgement
of the right of Parliament to Tax the Colonies,
and to a submission to the exercise of that right.
General Gage appointed Governour of Mas-
sachusetts to reduce the people to entire obedi-
ence. Recommends a General Congress of
the Colonies, at Annapolis, and a suspension
of Exports and Imports, .... 237
4, Letter from Samuel Adams, to Arthur Lee. Pro-
ceedings of the Assembly, in relation to the
Judges' salaries. Judge Oliver refuses to re-
nounce the salary from the Crown — Contro-
versy between the Governour and the Assem-
bly. Policy of the British Government, if
persisted in, will bring about the entire separa-
tion and Independence of the Colonies, - 238
5, Importance of the Commerce of the Colonics
to the Trade and Manufactures of Great Bri-
tain. Value of Exports from the West India
Islands and the Northern Colonies compared.
Troops furnished by the Colonies in the last
war, 240
5, Letter from London to a Gentleman in New-
York. The wisdom and firmness of the Uni-
ted Continent of America must be summoned
to support their liberty. If Boston is not sus-
tained, all the rest will fall the easy victims of
Tyranny. The Sheriffs of London headed the
Petitions to Parliament; they were the first
in proposing, and active in getting them uj), 24 1
7, An Apology for the late conduct of America, 241-245
9, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Governour
Gage. Sends his Commission, as Captain-
General and Governour-in- Chief of Massachu-
setts Bay, with his Instructions ; He must en-
force due obedience to the Boston Port Bill — if
necessary, must use the King's Troops with
effect. The Governour to reside in Salem, and
the General Court to be held there, until the
King shall authorize their return to Boston.
His Majesty expects the offenders (in the de-
struction of the "Tea) to be punished, - - 245
March Copy of a Minute of the Treasury Board, (en.
31, -.••'■ • X .. V T . ..
April
27,
closed in the foregoing Letter.) Listructions
to the Officers of the Customs, on removing the
Port from Boston to Salem, - - -
Letter from London. Advises the Colonies to
imite in defence of American Liberty. Power
of the Ministry — their hatred of liberty. Lords
Chatham, Camden, and Rockingham, are
friendly to America, . - - - .
May 4, Letter from Lieutenant Governour Colden to the
Earl of Dartmouth. Destruction of Tea at
New- York, ------
Account of the Proceedings at New- York, on
the arrival of Captains Chambers and Lock-
yer, with the Tea, (enclosed in the preceding
Letter,)
Account of all the Proceedings in New- York, in
relation to the Tea, (Note,) - - 251
April
28,
May
12,
- 246
248
248
249
-256
COTJNCII, OF PENNSYLVANIA.
March Governour submits a Letter from Lord Dim-
16, more, 252
3, Letter from Lord Dunmore, Governour of Vir-
ginia, to Governour Penn. Claims Pittsburgh,
XXVil
1774.
CONTENTS.
XXVIII
252
March
31,
24,
April
11.
8,
7.
11,
21,
9,
21,
22,
261
261
OS within the County of Augusta, to be under
the jurisdiction of Vi'rsriniu— Refuses to revoke
the Commissions to Officers he has appointed
there — Di>mands ample reparation for the in-
sult on his Majesty's CJovernment in Virginia,
in the imprisonment of Mr. John Connollj', a
Magistrate appointed by him, . . -
Answer of Governour Penn, to the Earl of Dun-
more. Review of the respective claims of
Pennsylvania and Virginia, in regard to the
disputtxl Botmdary. Claims Pittsburgh to be
within the Charter limits of Pennsylvania-
justifies the conduct of Mr. St. Clair, in impri-
soning Connolly, ... - 255-260
Letter from Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire, Gov-
ernour of Connecticut, to Governour Penn. —
Connecticut Umds West of the River Dela-
ware— requests Governour Penn to prevent
settlements under claim of the Proprietaries of
Pennsylvania. Has employed persons to take
the lautudes of certain places beyond the Dek-
^\•are, ...----
Letter from Governour Penn to Governour
Trumbull, ■written by advice of the Council.
Denies the claim of Connecticut to Lands be-
yond the Delaware. Protests against the send-
ing of persons to take latitudes of places with-
in the jurisdiction of Pennsyh'ania, and denies
the authority of the Assembly of Connecticut
to do so.
Letter from William Crawford, Westmoreland
County, to Mr. Penn. Connolly sworn in a
Magistrate of Augusta County, Virginia : he
was furnished with blank Commissions for
several gentlemen near Pittsburgh. A num-
ber of Militia Officers appointed there by
Lord Dunmore. Several musters of Militia
have been held. Connolly constantly sur-
rounded with a body of armed men — and
obstructs the execution of legal process under
the authority of Pennsylvania. Disturbances
there — arrest and confinement of Pennsylvania
Magistrates — Connolly surrounds the Court
House with Troops— places Centinels at the
door — has a private interview with the Magis-
trates. Further disturbances. Persons arrest-
ed by Connolly. Mr. Crawford recommends to
the Governour to fix a temporary Boundary
line, ...----
Dr. Connolly's Address to the Magistrates of
Westmoreland County, at his interview with
them, referred to in the preceding Letter,
Answer of the Magistrates of Westmoreland
County to the foregoing Address,
Deposition of Henry Read, relative to the Distur-
bances made in Westmoreland County by the
Virginians, ..----
Governour advised by the Council to take no steps
in relation to the Disturbances, until the return
of an Express sent to the Earl of Dunmore, -
Express sent to Virginia returned without any
Answer from the Governour, . . -
Letter from ^Eneas Muckoy, Pittsburgh, to the
Governour. Taken prisoner by Dr. Connolly,
and, on refusing to give bail, ordered to be sent
to Staunton, ......
Letter from Devereux Smith, Pittsburgh, one of
the Magistrates of Westmoreland County, ar.
rested on a King's Warrant issued by Dr. Con.
nolly. Will go to Jail at Staunton this day.
The Council, after considering the foregoing Let-
ters, advise the Governour to send Commis-
sioners to the Governour of Virginia to con-
fer with that Government on the means of re-
storing peace and good order, and the establish-
ment of a temporary line of jurisdiction.
Letter from Governour Penn to /Eneas Mnckay,
Devereux Smith, and Andrew M'Farlane. —
Will apply to Lord Dunmore for their enlarge-
ment— and has instructed Colonel Wilson to
give bail, to release them from Prison at Staun-
ton, .......
Letter from Governour Penn to William Craw-
ford, and his Associates, of Westmoreland
County. Will send Commissioners to expos-
tulate with Lord Dunmore on the behaviour
of the persons he has invested with power to
disturb the peace of the country. As the Gov-
1774.
262
263
263
263
264
264
264
264
265
265
crnment of Virginia has the power to raise
Militia, and there is no such in Pennsylvania,
it will be vain to contend with them in the
way of force. The Magistrates are, therefore,
advised to conduct themselves \vith caution,
and not to proceed with criminal prosecutions
asrainst persons acting under the authority of
Virginia, - - - - * "
Jan'ry Letter from Arthur St. Clair, Ligonier, to Jo-
15, seph Shippen. Petition for a Court House
and Jail, in Westmoreland County,
Feb'ry Letter from Arthur St. Clair, Ligonier, to Gov
2,
23,
April
4,
4,
7,
13,
ernour Penn. Dr. Connolly arrested by his
orders, for requiring the Militia to meet. R-iot-
ous conduct of persons under arms. Mr. Con-
nolly has a Military Commission from Lord
Dunmore, and his Subalterns are appointed.
Paper enclosed in the foregoing Letter, read to a
party assembled in arms, after Connollys arrest
by the Magistrates of Westmoreland County,
Letter from Arthur St. Clair, Ligonier, to Jo-
seph Shippen, Junior. Disturbances are in-
creasing. The People, principally, in favour
of Virginia. Intends to remove his office to
Pittsburgh,
Letter from Joseph Spear to Arthur St. Clair.
Virginians have had several musters \ait\y,
one at Red Stone, Old Fort. Connolly has just
gone to Red Stone, . . - - -
Letter from TEneas Mackay, Pittsburgh, to Gov.
Penn. Since Comiolly's return from Virginia,
on the 28th of March, Pittsburgh has become a
scene of confusion. Connolly arrested on the
24th of January, and in prison a few days,
when he prevailed upon the Sheriff to let him
out to see his friends; instead of returning to
Jail, as he had promised, he assembled a party
of armed men, who guarded him from Red
Stone to the frontiers of Virginia. Connolly, on
the 30th of March, read to the Militia, assem-
bli:>d at Fort Pitt, Letters from Lord Dunmore,
approving his conduct, and promising him as-
sistance. The men were assembled in obedi-
ence to Lord Dunmore's positive orders, to hear
the Letters read. Connolly arrested the Sheriff
the next day, by a King's Warrant, and has
had, ever since, armed parties in pursuit of the
Deputy SherifT and the Constables; he is now
in acUial possession of the Fort, with a guard,
invested with Ci\'il and Military power to en-
force the laws of Virginia — Lord Dunmore has
enclosed him Commissions to fill up, at his dis-
cretion, for Militia Officers. Indians alarmed
at seeing parties of armed men daily.
Letter from GJeorge Croghan to David Sample
has long been convinced that Fort Pitt, and its
dependencies, are without the limits of Penn-
sylvania— will no longer submit to the laws of
tiiat Province ; Virginia having, last Winter,
extended the laws of that Government to this
part of the country,
Letter from Thomas Smith to Joseph Shippen.
Disturbances in Westmoreland County. Con-
nolly's proceedings — Officers appointed by
him, under Lord Dunmore's authority,
Representation of the Commissioners and Asses-
sors of Westmoreland County to Gov. Penn,
Letter from Tliomas Smith, Bedford, to Joseph
Shippen, Jun. Continued outrages of the Vir-
ginians. Three Magistrates of Westmoreland
County arrested by Connolly, and now on their
way to Augusta Jail, ....
266
266
266
267
269
. 269
- 270
271
271
273
273
VIRGINIA ASSEMBLY.
May 5, Virginia Assembly, convened by the Governour, 274
Speech of Lord Dunmore to CTeneral Assembly, 274
Address of the Council to Lord Dunmore, . 274
Address of the House of Burgesses to Lord Dun-
more, 275
12, Information, by Express, of skirmishes with the
Shawanese, ...... 275
1 3, Petition from the Inhabitants on the Waters of the
f )hio, to the Governour and Assembly. Prefer
the Government of Virginia to that of Peim-
sylvania. State their grievances, their fears of
the neighbouring Indians, and request the As-
sembly to extend to them relief, ... 275
XXIX
1774.
May
13,
CONTENTS.
XXX
Address of the House of Burgesses to the Govern-
our on the foregoing- Petition. Disapprove the
imprisoning Officers by either Government.
Recommend a temporary boundary until the
King shall direct a proper line to be fixed upon.
Request the Ciovernour to exercise the powers
he is invested with to suppress the Indian dis-
turbances, ...--. 276
March " A Virginian," approving the conduct of Lord
3, E>unmore,(Note,) 277
26, Letter from Pittsburgh. No disturbances with the
Indians this Winter. More to be dreaded from
the Pennsylvanians than the Indians, (Note,) - 277
"Virginius" to Lord Dunmore. An Indian war
inevitable. Urges the Governour to make pro-
vision for the security of the frontier inhabi-
tants, and be ready to meet the Indians, (Note,) 277
Connolly will be at Pittsburgh till the middle of
June to dispose of lots in a new Town, to be
laid out, at the Falls of the Ohio, (Note,) - 278
24,
April
7,
COUNCIL OF PENNSYLVANIA.
May 7, Mr. Tilghman and Mr. Andrew Allen appointed
Commissioners to treat \vith Virginia, on the
Disturbances in Westmoreland County, - 277
7, Commission to Mr. Tilghman and Mr. Allen,
Commissioners to Virginia, ... 278
7, Instructions to the Commissioners, ... 279
7, Letter from Governour Penn to Lord Dimmore.
Informs him of the appointment of the Commis-
sioners, and expresses his hopes that tranquil-
lity may be restored between the Governments, 280
1 8, Letter from Doctor Richard Peters to Henry Wil-
mot, London. History of the purchsise, by
Pennsylvania, imderthe Indian Deed of 1754,
of the Lands west of the Delaware, claimed
by Connecticut. The Pennsylvania purchase
made openly in Council ; the Susquehannah
purchase, by private individuals, from Connec-
ticut, made secretly. The Indians, in Council,
refused to sell any land to Connecticut, and re-
fused to sell the Wyomink Country to either
Pennsylvania or Connecticut. Treaty at Fort
Stanwix, in 1768, 280
April Letter from Arthur St. Clair, Carlisle, to Ben-
28, jamin Chew. Colonel Stephens censured by
the Council of Virginia, in 1 764, for sending
the Militia out of that Government, when he
sent relief to Fort Pitt, then besieged by the
Indians, 282
May 5, Letter from iEneas Mackay, Staunton, to Gov-
ernour Penn. Interview with Lord Dunmore
in relation to the claim of Virginia to Pitts-
burgh, and the proceedings of Connolly. Lord
Dunmore justified Connolly, who acted by his
authority. Gave Mr. Mackay a Letter to the
Sheriff of Augusta, directuig the discharge of
the Pennsylvania Magistrates imprisoned by
Connolly, 282
April Letter from Lord Dunmore, Williamsburg, to
26, Daniel Smith, Sheriff of Augusta, directing
the discharge of the Pennsylvania Magistrates, 283
25, Lord Dunmore's Proclamation — Directs the Mi-
litia of Pittsburgh, and its dependencies, to be
embodied to repel any attacks from Pennsylva-
nia, or the Indians ; and orders all the inhabi-
tants to pay quit-rents, and all publick dues, to
Officers appointed by Virginia, - - - 283
30, Extract of a Journal of the United Brethren's
Mission, on Muskingum — Shawanese Chief
killed by the Whites, on the Ohio — Indian war
expected ; Virginians, on the Ohio, threaten to
fall on the Shawanese settlements, and destroy
their Towns. White people on the Ohio had
killed nine Mingoes. At Pittsburgh it is not
believed this was done by authority of the Gov-
ernour of Virginia. Indian Council at Geke-
lemuckepuck: Shawanese and Mingoes left it
dissatisfied, and threatened to kill all the White
people they met. Messenger from Mr. Crogh-
an, at Pittsburgh, to the Delawares, Shawa-
nese, and Mingoes, advising them to be quiet.
The people there will endeavour to apprehend
the Whites who committed the murder. Hopes
entertained of a continuance of peace, - 283
May Letter from a Missionary — More Traders arriv-
21, cd, 284
1774.
Maij
24,
27,
24,
29,
Litter from David Zeisburgcr, Missionary at
Schonbrunn. Movements of the Indians: Pre-
paration for war with the Whites, - - 285
Letter from Mr. Zeisburger. Two parties of the
Shawanese gone against the settlements. The
Shawanese at Woaketameka, only want war.
Lower Shawanese peaceable yet, - - 285
Letter from the Cosh, alias John Bull. Three
Cherokees have killed a trader. Mingoes kil-
led by Virginians under Cresap, at the mouth
of Yellow Creek. The day following they
killed a Shawanese and a Delaware. Same
party killed a Shawanese woman, and a Shaw-
anese Chief; soon after fled, and left the settlers
victims to the Indians. Indian Council at
Woaketameka — Delaware Chief informed the
Shawanese and Mingoes that the Delawares
would not assist them, .... 285
Letter from Arthur St. Clair, Ligonier, to Gov-
ernor Penn. The Shawanese inclined to peace
with the Pennsylvanians. The Virginians
have struck them and they will have satisfac-
tion. Met several Chiefs of the Delawares and
the Deputy of the Six Nations, at Pittsburgh;
they gave assurances of their desire for peace.
Number of Indians killed by Cresap and (Jreat-
house, thirteen. Cresap lately at Pittsburgh,
with intention to pursue the blow he had
struck; but Connolly forbid his attempting any
thing against the Indians. Cresap declares
what he did before was by Connolly's orders.
An Indian war, if not a Virginia plan, is cer-
tainly Connolly's plan. Country about Pitts-
burgh harassed by the Virginia Militia. Sev-
eral at Pittsburgh have associated and raised,
and pay a company of one hundred Rangers.
Inhabitants of Pittsburgh propose to stockade
the Town. Delaware Indian killed by John
Hinckson, and others, .... 286
Speech of the Shawanese, directed to Alexander
McKee, George Croghan, and the Comman.
dant at Pittsburgh, Captain John Connolly, . 288
Speech to the Chiefs of the Delawares and a few
of the Six Nations, by Arthur St. Clair, at
Pittsburgh, May, 1774, . - . .283
MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE.
May Letter from General Haldimand, New- York, to
15, the Earl of Dartmouth. The accounts receiv.
ed, had made known the plan of operation in-
tended to bring Boston to a sense of order and
decency, so that when General Gcage arrives
they will know what to expect if they prove
refractory. Many believe in New. York, that
the people of Boston vnU. acknowledge their
fault, and pay for the Tea, ...
April Extracts of private Let ers from London, printed
7,
May
16,
on the back of the Boston Port Bill, and circu-
lated in New- York, on the 1 4th of May, en-
closed to the Earl of Dartmouth, in the prece-
ding Letter,
A " British American," New- York, proposes to
raise by subscription money to pay for the Tea,
ready to be tendered to General Gage, on his
arrival. Hostile opposition to the Naval and
Military Force coming out with General Gage,
absurd, (Note,)
KEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE.
May
16,
17,
ir,
19,
289
289
289
20,
New- York Committee of Correspondence, - 293
Committee nominated at a Publick Meeting at
the Exchange, ....
Meeting called for the 19th, to approve of the
Committee nominated on the 1 6th,
Express from Boston, with Letters from the Com-
nrittee of Correspondence there, suggesting the
suspension of all Exports to, and Imports irom.
Great Britain and the West Indies, (Note,)
Meeting of the Inhabitants at the Coiiee House,
Address of Mr. Low to the meeting.
The nomination of the fifty gentlemen for a Com-
mittee, on the 16th, confirmed, and Francis
Lewis added, ..----
Address to the People, urging them to sustain
Boston, (Note,) ....
Dialogue on the Boston Port Bill— Conduct of
. 293
294
293
294
294
295
- 295
XXXI
CONTENTS.
XXXII
1774.
May
23.
23,
24,
30,
30,
31,
31,
June
I,
3.
the Bostonians justified— Procerdings of the
Ministry condemned — Non-Importation Agree-
ment recommended, f Note,) - - -
Isaac Low chosen Chairman of the Committee ;
John Alsop Deputy Chairman, - - -
LeUer from Jonathan Blake, Chairman of the
Committee of Mechanicks, exprcssinsrtheir con-
currence in the appointment of the Committee,
Letters from Boston Committee of the 13th, and
a Letter from the Philadelphia Committee read,
Committee appointed to prepare an Answer to the
Boston Letter, and to report this evening.
Letter to the Boston Committee reported and ap-
proved. EHfficult to determine what course
ought to be pursued. Cannot give a decisive
opinion. Congress of Deputies from all the
Colonies ought to be convened without delay.
The Committee cannot express any opinion on
the exp.<lient proposed by the Boston Com-
mittee, "
Copy of this Letter ordered to be sent to Philadel-
phia, ackjiowledging the receipt of a copy of
their Letter to Boston, and approving the sen-
timents contaim-d in it, - - ' .*
Letter from Mr. Low, Chairman, to Philadelphia
Committee, " * " ' j i'
Rules of proceeding for the Committee adopted,
Joseph Allicocke appointed Secretary,
Committee appointed to write a Circular Letter to
Supervisors of Counties, recommending the ap-
pointment of persons to correspond with this
Committee, - - - - ■
Letter from New- York to a Gentleman in Lon-
don. Many of the principal people of the Co-
lony are sorry for embarking in the cause so
far, and are ready to join the friends of the
Ministry. The Minister, with a few Ships-of-
War, could carry his designs into execution,
(Note,)
Letter from New- York to a Gentleman in Lon-
don. General Gage hissed at a publick dinner
in Boston, for giving Governour Hutchinson as
a toast. Respect shown to General Gage on
his landing, all hypocrisy. The Presbj-terian
Junto, or self-constituted Committee of Sons of
Liberty of New- York, who have stood ever
since the Stamp Act, offered the assistance of
this City to Boston, in resisting the Parliament ;
in consequence of this Letter the gentlemen of
property met and formed the new Committee of
Fifty. There is little doubt but all will be
quiet in the Colonies in a short time ; the most
bitter pill will be the acknowledgement of the
right of Taxation in the Parliament. The
Presbyterians are to blame for all the violent
American Proceedings. The Government at
home, can only rely upon the professors of the
Church of Englandi. The Ministry have only
to put an entire stop to smuggling, and make an
example of some of the factious ringleaders in
every principal city ; then America will give
but little trouble, (Note,) ... -
Letter received from Charles Thomson, Phila-
delphia, in behalf of the several Congregations
in that city, dated May 29, ...
Copies of Mr. Thomson's Letter furnished to
the Clergymen of New- York, . - -
Letter from Isaac Low, Chairman, to Charles
Thomson, ...--.
Letter from the Committee to the Supervisors of
the Counties,
Letter from New- York to a Gentleman in Scot-
land. The power thrown into the hands of the
Mob at the Stamp Act, was not extinguished by
the repeal of that Act. It was the leaders of
the Mob. who associated to prevent the landing
of the Tea here, and for returning it — which
they deliberately effected. The Committee of
Fifty was elwAed in opposition to these leaders,
with some difficulty. The management of
affairs is now in the hands of men opposed to
precipitate measures, and the Ministry will meet
with little opposition, unless the Bill for the
Administration of Justice in Massachusetts Bay
should be passed, (Note,) - . . .
Letter from New- York to a Gentleman in Eng-
land. The pretensions of Great Britain will be
treated with resentment and disdain throughout
295
295
295
295
295
- 297
298
298
298
299
299
299
1774.
June
6,
4.
7,
10,
3,
10,
11,
11,
24,
299
300
300
300
300
20,
27,
29,
Juhj
302
302
302
303
303
304
304
305
305
306
the Continent. The strongest determination
exists through all America to maintain and
defend their rights, (Note,) . . -
The Committee order a Letter to be written to
the Boston Committee, . . - -
Anniversary of his Majesty's birth-day. Cele-
brated by the King's Officers. Few of the
people participated in the rejoicing, (Note,) -
Letter from the Committee to Boston Committee
of Correspondence. In their former Letter did
not propose a suspension of Trade. Left that
and every other resolution for the discussion
of the proposed General Congress — adhering
to that measure as most conducive to promote
the grand system of politicks we all have in
view. Ready to meet at any time and place that
may be appointed, giving sufficient time for
Deputies as far south as the Carolinas to as-
semble, ..-----
Letter received from the Committee of Correspon-
dence for Connecticut, dated June 4, -
Copy of a Letter from the Connecticut Commit-
tee to the Boston Committee, enclosed in the
preceding Letter to New- York. A Congress
absolutely necessary — Should meet by the first
week in August — New- York a convenient
place, but prefer Fairfield or Norwalk,
Committee direct Letters to be written to the
Committee at Hartford, and to the Committee
of South Carolina, - . - - -
Letter to the Conunittce of Connecticut — Ap-
prove of the Congress, chosen to speak the
sentiments, and to pledge themselves for the
conduct of the Colonies they represent,
I^etter to Mr. Bernard Lentot, of Branford,
Letter from the Committee of Correspondence of
the Assembly of New- York, to the Connecti-
cut Committee. A Congress the best means
of restoring peace and harmony with Great
Britain ; but this Committee have no power to
take any steps in relation to the subject. If a
Congress should meet in or near New- York,
will assist with their advice, . . -
Appointment of the Committee by the Assem-
bly of New- York, (Note) - - - -
Mr. Allicocke, for particular reasons, resigned,
and John Blagge appointed Secretary to the
Committee in his place, - . . .
Letters received from Easthampton, dated June
17; from Philadelphia, dated June 21; and
from Boston, dated Jime 16, ...
Mr. M'Dougall's motion on the most eligible
mode of appointing Deputies to the Congress,
debated and postponed to the 29th,
Letters from Tryon County, dated June 22, and
from Southampton, dated June 22, received. -
Mr. M'Dougall moved, and was seconded by Mr.
Broome, that the Committee proceed imme-
diately to nominate five Deputies for the City
and County of New- York, to represent them
in a Convention of the Colony, or in the Gen-
eral Congress, and that their names be sent to
the Committee of Mechanicks for their concur-
rence; to be proposed to the Inhabitants on
Tuesday next, for their approbation,
Postponed to Monday next, July 4, ' •
4, Letters from Annapolis, dated June 26, with Re-
solves ; from Shelter Island, dated June 7, with
Resolves; from Suffolk County, dated June
25 ; from the Committee of Mechanicks of
New- York, dated July 4 ; also from Dutchess
County, dated June '29, received,
Mr. Booth's motion, seconded by Mr. De Lancey,
for the Previous Question on Mr. M'Dougall's
motion, referring the nomination of Delegates
to the Committee of Mechanicks for their con-
currence, ......
Yeas and Nays on the question, ...
Mr. Bache moved, seconded by Mr. De Lancey,
that the Committee now proceed to nominate
five persons as Delegates to meet in General
Congress, ...... 308
Captain Sears moved, seconded by Mr. P. V. B.
Livingston, that Isaac Low, James Duane,
Philip Livingston, John Morin Scott, and
Alexander M'Dougall, be nominated, - - 308
Yeas and Nays on the Previous Question, on
Captain Sears's motion. .... 308
306
306
307
307
307
307
307
307
308
308
308
xxxin
1774.
Jidyi, Mr. De Lancey moved, seconded by Mr. Booth,
that the Committee immediately proceed to
nominate five persons to be held up to the City
and County, proper to serve them as Delegates
in a General Congress, .... 308
Philip Livingston, John Alsop, Isaac Low, James
Duane, and John Jay, nominated, - - 308
A Publick Meeting ordered to be called at the
City Hall, on the 7th, to concur in the nomina-
tion, or to choose others in their stead, - 309
5, Address to the Publick. ©bjections to a Con-
gress— Advises an humble Address from each
General Assembly to the King, for permission
to send some of their own bodies to England
to fi.x upon a Constitution, (Note,) - - 309
Answer to the foregoing Address, (Note,) - 309
7, Letter from Jacob Lansing, dated Albany, June
29, received, 309
Committee appointed to meet a Committee of the
Mechanicks to-morrow, to take the vote of the
City on the five Delegates nominated by this
Committee, and the five nominated by the Com-
mittee of Mechanicks, .... 309
Mr. Thurman's motion, to disavow the Proceed-
ings of the Meeting held in the Fields, yester-
day, of which Mr. M'Dougall was Chairman,
as evidently calculated to throw an odium on
the Committee, and to create jealousies and
suspicions of their conduct, - - - 310
Mr. M'Dougall moves for the Previous Ques-
tion on Mr. Thurman's motion, - - - 3 II
Yeas and Nays on Mr. M'Dougall's motion, - 311
Yeas and Nays on Mr. Thurman's motion, - 311
Mr. Lewis's motion, for a Committee to prepare
Resolutions to be submitted to the People, - 312
Committee appointed, - - - - - 312
Mr. M'Evers's motion, for the publication of the
Proceedings on the motion of Mr. Thurman, 312
Yeas and Nays on this question, - - - 312
6, Resolutions adopted by the Meeting in the Fields,
referred to by Mr. Thurman. 1. That Boston
is suffering in the common cause of the Colo-
nies. 2. An invasion of the rights of one Col-
ony is an attack upon the liberties of all. 3.
The shutting up an American Port, to exact a
submission to Parliamentary Taxation, is un-
constitutional. 4. Suspension of Trade with
Great Britain till the Boston Act is repealed,
will save America. 5. Delegates from New-
York to the General Congress instructed to
unite in a Non- Importation Agreement. 6.
The Meeting will support every measure of
the Congress for securing the objects mention-
ed in these Resolutions. 7. Provincial Con-
vention recommended to choose Deputies to the
Congress. 8. That Subscriptions be immedi-
ately set on foot for the relief of the Poor of
Boston. 9. The City Committee instructed to
carry these Resolutions into execution, - 312
8, Address of Francis Lewis and other Members of
the Committee to the Inhabitants — their reasons
for opposing Mr. Thurman's and Mr. M'Evers's
motion. Withdraw from the Committee, - 313
9, Answer of " One of the Committee" to the fore-
going Address — Defence of the Committee, - 314
Mr. M'Dougall declines a nomination to the Con-
gress, (Note,) 315
Publications relative to these Proceedings,( Note,) 3 1 5
13, Committee, appointed on the 7th instant, report
Resolutions, - - - - - -315
Ordered to be printed and distributed in handbills
for the consideration of the Publick, who are
requested to meet at the Coffee-House on the
19th, to express their opinion on them, - 315
The five Gentlemen nominated by the Committee
as Delegates to the General Congress, to be
proposed to the Citizens for their approbation,
at the same time and place, - - - 315
19, Letter from Charlestown, South Carolina, dated
July 8, with Resolves, received, - - - 315
At the Meeting this day at the Coffee-House, a
small portion of the Citizens only attending,
the sentiments of the majority not ascertained
on the Resolutions, - - - - - 315
Committee appointed to take the sense of the Free-
holders, Freemen, and Tax Payers in each
Ward, on the Resolutions and the nomination
of the Delegates, 315
FOUBTB SeBIES.
CONTENTS-
XXXIV
1774.
July
20.
20.
25,
30.
26.
27.
27.
28.
26,
Resolutions adopted by the Committee: 1. The
King of Great Britain is our rightful Sove-
reign ; it is our duty to support his Crown and
dignity. 2. All Acts of Parliament for taxing
the Colonies, unjust and unconstitutional, par-
ticularly the Boston Port Act. 3. Enforcing
the Taxation in the Colonies, the true motive
and main design of that Act. 4. It is the
duty of all the Colonies to assist any one ao
oppressed. 5. The meeting of the proposed
Congress the most prudent measure in this
alarming crisis. 6. It is premature for one
Colony now to resolve what ought to be done
by the Congress, who should be left free to de-
cide on what they think best 7. Nothing but
dire necessity can justify the Colonies in uni-
ting on any measure that may injure our
brethren in Great Britain. 8. If a Non- Im-
portation Agreement should be adopted, it
ought to be general, and faithfully observed.
9. The Delegates to Congress should be so
chosen as to pledge themselves for the good
conduct of the People they represent, - - 315
Mr. Jay's motion, to provide for the distresses of
the Poor of Boston. 316
Committee to consider of the means for their re-
lief and to report with all convenient speed, - 317
Committee to prepare Answers to the Letters re-
ceived, - - - - - - -317
Committee appointed to request the Committee of
Mechanicks to appoint persons to join those
appointed by this Committee, to take the sense
of the Inhabitants on the Resolutions and the
Delegates, - - - - - -317
Address of Mr. Alsop, Mr. Low, and Mr. Jay,
to the Publick. The sense of the City so un-
certain, that they do not consider themselves,
or any others, duly chosen as Delegates to the
Congress, - 317
Address of Mr. Moore, Mr. Low, Mr. Remsen,
and Mr. Jay, to the Publick. After the rejec-
tion of the Resolutions offered by the Commit-
tee of Correspondence to the Meeting at the
Coffee-House, on the 19th, they were appoint-
ed on another Committee to prepare new Re-
solutions. Their appointment irregular, and
decline serving. They approve, with few ex-
ceptions, of the rejected Resolutions, - - 317
Letter, dated Boston, July, 1774, received, - 318
Mr. Remsen's motion, that a Poll be opened in
each Ward, on the 28th, for the election of five
Deputies to the Congress, - - - - 3 1 8
Unanimously agreed to, - - - - 318
Committee to carry it into effect, - - - 318
Amendment of the third Resolve, - - - 318
Queries from Ulster County, (Note,) - - 318
Note from the Committee, at Mr. Marriner's. to
the Delegates nominated, desiring a pledge
that they will support a Non-Importation
Agreement in the Congress, until the Ameri-
can Grievances are redressed, ... 319
Reply of Mr. Livingston, Mr. Low, Mr. Alsop,
and Mr. Jay. They believe a general Non-
Importation Agreement would prove the most
efficacious means to procure a redress of Grie-
vances, - - - - - - -319
In answer to this Reply, the Committee, at Mr.
Marriner's, agree to support the nominated
Delegates, 319
Letter from Charles Thomson, Philadelphia,
dated July 25, with Resolves, received, - 320
Publication of Proceedings of yesterday, ordered,
to correct a mistake in Mr. Holt's Paper, - 320
The Publication of Mr. Holt, referred to by the
Committee, (Note,) 320
Philip Livingston, Isiac Low, John Jay, John
Alsop, and James Duane, mianimously elected
Delegates to the Congress,
Committee on the distresses of the Poor in Bos-
ton will report at next meeting of the Com-
mittee, .-.----
Letter to the Committee of Correspondence at
Charlestown, South Carolina. Resolutions of
South Carolina much approved of Nothing
but a strict union among all the Colonies
can effect a restoration of the just rights of
America. Will concur in every constitutional
measure for obtaining a redress of Grievances.
- 320
320
XX XT
CONTENTS.
XXXVI
1774,
July
28.
23,
29,
Augt
7,
22.
29,
Sept.
5,
19,
29,
30.
Oct.
7
Three sets of Resolutions published in New-
York, that si|?n«l by ilie Chairman, adopt»>d.
Letter to the Committee of Correspondence at
Philadelphia. After various contests on the
appointment of Delegates, regular polls have
been opened in each Ward in the Guy, which
has given imiversal satisfaction. Letters sent
to the several Comities of the Province re-
questing their co-operation. Resolves and
Instructions of the Provincial Committee of
Pennsylvania, much approved, -
Letter to Matthew Tilghman, Chairman of Com-
mittee for Maryland. Resolutions of Mary-
land much approved. The 1st of September
proposed by Massachusetts for the meeting of
Congress, agreed to by Eastern Colonies,
except New- Hampshire, from whence no com-
mmiication has been received on the present
state of affairs, . . - - -
Letter sent to the Committee or Treasurer of the
different Counties in the Province. Suggests
the e.xpediency of electing Delegates to Con-
gress m the several Counties speedily ; or to
express their confidence in the Delegates elect-
ed in the City, . . . - -
Letter from Elizabethtovvn. dated August 5th.
received, . . . - -
Conmiittee appointed to answer a Letter from
Boston, ancf to wait on the Chairman of the
Mechanicks' Committee, to request the Boston
Letter to them, . . - . -
Committee appointed to procure Collections to
relieve the poor of Boston ; and to request the
assistance of the Coumuttee of Mechanicks in
making the subscriptions, ...
Election of Delegates in Orange and Albany
Counties, (Note,) . - - - -
Letter to the Committee of Correspondence, of
Boston. Explain the cause of their omission
to write, and express their regret that the rec-
titude of their intentions are doubted. Appeal
to their Acts, Letters, and Resolves, to show
their attachment to the general cause. Defend
the Merchants against the charge of want of
patriotism, made against them, in the Letter to
the Committee of the Mechanicks. Request
to be furnished with copies of the Letters that
have given rise to the suspicions. The dis-
tresses of the Poor of Boston have engaged
the earnest attention of tlie Committee,
Letter to the several Counties of the Province.
Urges them to contribute for the relief of the
Poor of Boston. The interest and welfare of a
whole Contment requires that provision should
be made for all sufferers in the common cause.
Letter from Suffolk County, dated August 11,
received. Colonel William Floyd elected a
Delegate for that County, -
Busine.ss of the ensuing Congress discussed, in
presence of the Delegates, (Note,)
Letter to Zephaniah Piatt, Dutchess Coimty.
Delegates chosen in the City approved.
Letters received from Kingston, August, 19 ;
New- Windsor, August 26; Bedford, August 9;
Mamaroneck, August 7 ; and White Plains,
August 27 ; approving the Delegates chosen
for the City,
3. Reported attack on Boston, on the 2d, (Note,)
Letters from Albany, August 27, and Pough-
keepsie, August 31, approving the Resolves
and Delegates for New- York, - • .
Letter from Isaac Low, Philadelphia, received.
Committee appointed to write to Richmond, Kings,
Q.uefns, and Tryon Counties, requesting them
to send Delegates to the Congress now sitting,
or to approve of those now tliere, for the
Province of New- York, - - . .
Representation from a number of Inhabitants,
signed by Joseph Totten, their President,
Conmiittee call a Meeting of the Inhabitants at
tlie City- Hall, this day, to consider Mr. Tot-
ten's Representation, - - - .
Conduct of the persons complained of in the Re-
presentation, condemned, -
5, Meeting of Importers called to consider advances
upon Goods imported,
ImportiTs agree not to put unreasonable advances
on Goods, from the apprehension of a Non
320
1774.
- 321
321
- 322
- 322
Importation : will discourage all Engrossers;
and will dtcline dealing with all who attempt
to defeat their Resolutions, . . -
iVw. 7, Committee appointed to inquire what progress
has been made in Collections for the Poor of
Boston, - - - - - -
Meeting of the Citizens called to appoint Com-
mittees of Inspection, agreeably to the Conti-
nental Association, . - - - -
Committee appointetl to write to the several
Counties, recommending the appointment of
Committees of Inspection, . . -
14, Letter to Daniel Dmiscomb, Chairman of the
Committee of Mechanicks. Requests a Con-
ference with that Committee on the appoint-
ment of Committees of Inspection,
Contributors for the Poor of Boston, in the seve-
ral Counties, requested to transmit their Do-
nations as speedily as possible to New- York,
15, Committee, after their Conference with the Com-
mittee of Mechanicks, consider their body dis-
solved on the election of a Committee under
the Association of Congress, . . -
Election of new Committee of Sixty ordered, on
the 22d instant, . . - . -
The new Committee of Sixty elected.
322
322
322
323
323
- 324
- 324
324
325
325
326
326
326
- 326
326
- 327
- 328
22,
May
10,
13,
13,
14,
16,
17,
18.
17,
18,
19,
17,
18,
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
The Port Bill received at Boston, (Note,)
General Gage arrived at Boston, (Note,)
To\vn Meeting in Boston — Advise the stoppage
of all Imports from, and all Exports to, Great
Britain and the West Indies, till the Port Bill
is repealed, ...-.-
This vote ordered to be sent to 11 the Colonics,
Committee appointed to consider what measures
are proper for the Town to adopt, in the pre-
sent emergency, . . . - .
Committee appointed to consult with Salem and
Marblehead, ......
Paul Revere despatched with Letters to the
Southern Colonies, (Note,) ...
Election of Committee of Fifty at New- York, to
correspond with the Colonies, on all matters of
moment, ......
General Gtage landed in Boston. Sworn into
office as Governour, and invited to a publick
entertainment at Faneuil Hall, (Note,)
Meeting at Faneuil Hall, Boston, recommend
to the People patience, fortitude, and a firm
trust in God, -
Votes passed at this Meeting, ...
Letter received in Boston from Philadelphia.
Boston need not expect general support from
the other Colonics. In Pennsylvania they
will find none, .....
Letter from Samuel Adams, Boston, to Arthur
Lee, London. Injustice and barbarity of the
Port Bill. The Inhabitants view it with in-
dignation. Have resolved upon a Non-Im-
portation. Calmness, courage, and unanimity
prevail. Suspect studied insult in the appoint-
ment of General Gage,
Letter from General Gage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. Occurrences at Boston, on his arrival.
The Committee from Boston to Salem and
Marblehead received little encouragement. —
The Port Bill has staggered the most presump-
tuous. The Assembly may be more inclined
to comply with the King's expectation at Sa-
lem, where they will be moved after the first of
June, --.....
TowTi Meeting at Providence, Rhode- Island. —
Will unite with the other Colonies in measures
for protecting and securing their rights. Re-
commend a Congress of all the Colonies and
Provinces, for establishing the firmest union
between tliem. All the English American
Colonies equally interested in the Proceedings
of Parliament against Boston. Recommend
the stoppage of all Trade with Great Britain,
Ireland, Africa, and the West Indies, -
Meeting at Chestertown, Maryland, on the i»r-
portation of Dutiable Tea in the Geddes. No
Taxes or Duties can be constinitionally im-
posed without our consent. The Duty on
328
328
329
329
329
329
330
330
330
331
331
331
331
331
331
331
293
331
331
332
332
332
333
333
xxxni
CONTENTS.
XXXVIII
1774.
May
18,
19,
19,
19,
20,
20,
21,
20,
20,
20,
20,
21,
337
337
Tea unconstitutional. Whoever imports, buys,
or sells it, stigmatized as enemies to America, 334
Address to the Freemen of America. Conduct
of Great Britain towards America, a system of
oppression. Life, liberty, and property, are
now but names in America. New- York,
Philadelphia, and Charlestown, cannot escape
the fate of Boston. An union of the Colonies
will render harmless British vengeance and
tyranny. Virtue, unanimity, and persever-
ence, are invincible, - - - - 335
Pablick Meeting at Farmington, Coimecticut. —
Liberty Pole erected, and Boston Port Bill
burnt by the common hangman, - - 336
Letter from the Committee of Correspondence, at
Westerly, to the Committee of Boston. Treat-
ment of Boston by Great Britain worse than
that of Carthage by Rome. The attack upon
Boston, an attempt upon the whole Continent.
The other Colonies will unite with the friends
of liberty, in Boston, in support of the common
cause, .-.--.- 336
Letter from the Committee of Portsmouth, New-
Hampshire, to the Boston Committee. The
British Ministry are endeavouring to disunite
the Colonies, that they may put down their op-
position. A firm union of all the Colonies
will prevent the cruel effects of the Port Bill,
Letter to Lord North, attributed to Edmund
Burke. The rights of the Crown, and the
rights of the Colonies, under various Charters
and Grants, ..-.-.
Letter from a Member of the Virginia Assembly,
Williamsburg, to his Correspondent in Lon-
don. Resentment in Virginia, on account of
die War sent to Boston. It is the universal
determination to stop the principal Exports to,
and all the Imports from. Great Britain. The
Assembly, now in session, will agree on mea-
sures to be adopted, before they adjourn, - 340
Meeting of the Inhabitants of Philadelphia. —
Committee of Correspondence appoint^!, - 340
Letter from the Committee of Philadelphia to the
Boston Committee. It is difficult to collect the
sense of the People, or to advise what ought to
be done, on this crisis. The general sense of
this Province, and of all the Colonies, should
be obtained. If satisfying the East India Com-
pany for the Tea would end the controversy,
there would be no hesitation on what ought to
be done. A Congress from all the Colonies,
preferred by the People of Pennsylvania, to a
Non-Importation and Non-Exportation Agree-
ment. Will endeavour to collect the sense of
Pennsylvania, and the neighbouring Colonies,
on these important points, - - - - 341
Cluestions and Answers, on paying for the Tea,
(Note,) 295
Letter from Gouverneur Morris, New- York,
to Mr. Penn, Philadelphia. Proceedings in
New- York, on the appointment of the Com-
mittee. His opinions on the state of parties in
New- York. A safe compact for re-union
with the parent state, is to leave internal Tax-
ation to the Colonics, and to vest the regula-
tion of Trade in Great Britain. His reasons
for this as the only possible mode of re-union, 343
To^^^l Meeting at Newport, Rhode- Island. —
The Boston Port Bill subversive of American
Liberty. The same authority may destroy
the Trade of every other Colony. Will unite
with the other Colonies, in all proper mea-
sures, to place the rights of each on a perma-
nent foundation, and particularly in a stoppage
of all Trade with Great Britain and the West
Indies, 343
Company at Ne\vport for carrying on Woollen
Manufactures in the Colony. Wool enough
raised to clothe all the Inhabitants, (Note,) - 344
Letter from General Gage to Governour Trum-
bull. Informs him of his appointment as
Governour of Massachusetts, and expresses
his readiness to co-operate for the good of his
Majesty's service, . - - . . 344
Letter from the Boston Committee, in reply to
one from sundry Gentlemen in New- York.
Thanks for their unsolicited offer of assistance.
Letters countermanding orders for Goods sent
1774.
May
23,
23.
23,
24,
24,
24,
24,
24,
May
24,
26,
27,
29,
30,
by a vessel yesterday for London. The friends
of Government, in Boston, procuring signers
to an Address to Governour Hutchinson, and
are endeavouring to raise money to pay for
the Tea, 344
Intelligence received at Philadelphia from Pitts-
burgh. On the 26th of April, two Indians
killed on the Ohio, near Wheeling. Michael
Cresap believed to be concerned in the murder.
Cresap had previously declared he would kill
every Indian he met on the River ; and if he
could get a sufficient number of men, he would
mark a Village on Yellow Creek. Another
party of Indians attacked by Cresap. Great-
house and Baker cut off a party at Yellow
Creek, 34.5
Letter from the New- York Committee to the
Boston Committee. Advise a General Con-
gress of all the Colonies, to be assembled
without delay; and some unanimous resolution
formed, not only respecting the deplorable cir-
cumstances of Boston, but for the security of
our common rights, .... 297
Address of the Episcopal Ministers and Wardens,
in Boston, to Governour Hutchinson, - 346
Governour Hutchinson's Answer, - - 346
Address of the Justices of the Court of General
Sessions of the Peace, for the County of Suf-
folk, Massachusetts, to Governour Gage, - 346
The Governour's Answer, - - - . 347
Letter from Philadelphia to the Boston Commit-
tee. The cause of Boston the cause of all the
Colonies. Must be supported against the
whole strength of Great Britain. By sea
they will beat us ; by land they will not at-
tempt us. We must suspend all Trade with
Great Britain and the West Indies, and with-
hold Flax-seed from Ireland. Stopping our
Ports entirely, contemplated. We shall try to
convene a Congress as soon as possible, - 347
Meeting at Talbot Court House, Maryland, to
consider the distresses of Boston. Determined
to pursue every constitutional measure to avert
the evils threatened by the Boston Port Bill ;
to support the common rights of America, and
to promote union and harmony between Great
Britain and the Colonies, ... - 347
Letter from the New- York Committee to the
Philadelphia Committee, - . - . 298
Letter I, to the Inhabitants of the British Colo-
nies in America, on the present disputes with
Great Britain, 348
HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA.
Resolution of the House of Burgesses of Virgi-
nia, setting apart the first day of June to be ob-
served, by the Members of the House, as a day
of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer, - 350
Assembly of Virginia dissolved by Lord Dun-
more, - - 350
Association agreed to and signed by eighty-nine
Members of the late House of Burgesses of
Virginia, ...... 350
Members of the late House of Burgesses remain-
ing in Tovm convened by Peyton Randolph ;
who, on considering the important Letters re-
ceived this day, by express, from Boston, Phil-
adelphia, and Annapolis, ordered the other
Members near the City to be called together, 35 1
Twenty-five Members met, and unanimously
agreed to postpone the further consideration of
the subject to the first of August ; when it is
expected a Non- Importation Agreement will
be entered into, and Resolutions to suspend, at
some future day, Exports to Great Britain, - 35 1
Juru 1, Divine Service, at Williamsburg, in compliance
with the Resolution of the Burgesses, of the
24th of May, (Note,) - - - - 351
May
29,
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
Letter from Lord Dunmore, Williamsburg, to
the Earl of Dartmouth. Resolution of the
House of Burgesses to deny and oppose the
authority of Parliament offered by Robert
Carter Nicholas, Treasurer of the Province.
Dissolved the Assembly, with the unanimous
XXX IX
1774.
CONTENTS.
XX.
consent of the Council. Will not call another
till he hears from the Earl of Dartmouth. Ma-
ny of the dissolved Members state that if the
full force of the Resolution had been adverted
to, it would have met with strong opposition, 352
May Meetiiip; at Annapolis, Maryland. The suffer-
26, inp of Boston, the common cause of America.
A stoppage of Trade with Great Britain will
preserve North America and her Liberties.
Gentlemen of the Law in the Province should
bring no suit for the recovery of a debt due to
Hn Inhabitant of Great Britain, until the Boston
Port Act be repealed. The Inhabitants of
Annajiolis will, and the Province ought, im-
mediately to break offall Trade with the Colo-
ny or Province which shall refuse to adopt
similar Resolutions with a majority of the
Colonies. Committee appointed to unite with
others of the Province, to effect an Association
to secure American Liberty, . . - 352
2G, Objections to the Proceedings at the Meeting at
Annapolis, on the 24th, ... - 353
27, Another Meeting, held at Annapolis, confirmed
the Resolutions passed on the 24th, - - 353
30, Protest of a number of Inhabitants of Annapolis
against the Resolution adopted on the 27th,
asrainst bringing suits for debts due to Persons
residing in Great Britain, ... - 353
Letter from Daniel Dulany, Jim., Annapolis, to
Arthur Lee. Notice of the Proceedings on
the 24th. He opposed one of the Resolutions.
The Resolutions are not to be obligatory until
they are agreed to by a majority of the Colo-
nies, and the several Counties of this Province, 354
Resolutions adopted by the House of Representa-
tives of the English Colony of Connecticut, 355
1 . The King of Great Britain recognised as their
lawful Sovereign, - . . - . 355
2. The Lihabitants of the Colony have all the
rights and privileges of Subjects bom within
the Realm of England, .... 355
3. The Assembly of the Colony the only lawful
Representatives thereof, .... 356
4. It is the right of the Inhabitants of the Col-
ony to be governed only by their own Assem-
bly, in Taxing and Internal Police, - - 356
5. Admiralty Courts, with extraordinary powers,
destructive of the rights of the People of the
Colony, 356
6. Carrj-ing Persons beyond the Sea, for Trial,
unconstitutional, and subversive of the rights
of the Colony, -.--.. 356
7. A Port can only be shut up by the Legisla-
ture of the Colony in which it is situated, - 356
8. Closing the Port of Boston, by Act of Parlia-
ment, inconsistent with the rights and liberties
of the Colonies in America, ... 355
9. Whenever his Majesty's service shall require
the aid of this Colony, it wll be granted, - 356
10. The well-being and security of the Colony
depends on its connection with Great Britain, 356
11. It is our duty, by all lawful means, to defend
and preserve our rights and liberties, - - 357
25, Meeting of Assembly of Massachusetts, - 357
Counsellors elected, ..... 357
26, Counsellors rejected by the Govemour, - - 357
Govemour's Speech to both Houses. Informs
them that after the first of June, in compliance
with the King's particular commands, the Gen-
eral Court will be held at Salem, - - 357
25, Address presented to Govemour Hutchinson, by
sundry Gentlemen of Marblehead, - - 358
Govemour Hutchinson's Answer, - - - 358
JuHC 3, Declaration of Marblehead, relative to the Ad-
dress from sundry Inhabitants of the Town to
Govemour Hutchinson; unanimously voted at
a legal Town Meeting, .... 359
NEW-HAMPSHIRE ASSEMBLY.
May Assembly of New-Hampshire authorize the en-
27, listment of three Men, to be posted at his Ma-
jesty's Fort, William and Mary, under the com-
mand of one Officer, .... ^qq
Message from Govemour Wentworth to the As-
sembly. He does not think it safe to entrust so
important a Fortress to the care and defence of
three Men and one Officer, , . . 350
1774.
May Committee appointed by the Assembly of New-
28, Hampshire, to correspond with the Committees
in the other Colonies, - - - - 361
The Speaker directed to answer such Letters as
he may receive from the other Colonies rela-
tive to the Difficulties between Great Britain
and the Colonies, and to assure them that this
Assembly will join them in all measures for
saving the rights of America, - - - 361
The Govemour authorized to enlist five Men for
Fort William and Mary, - - - - 361
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
May Address of Merchants and Traders of the Town
28, of Boston, presented to Govemour Hutchinson, 361
Answer of Govemour Hutchinson, - - 362
24, Protest of the Merchants and Traders of the
TowTi of Boston, unanimously votfd, at a full
Meeting, against a Paper called an Address
to Govemour Hutchinson, handed about, and
signed, in a private manner, - - - 362
29, Address presented to Govemour Hutchinson, by
several Gentlemen of the Law, . . - 363
Answer of Govemour Hutchinson, - - 363
30, Letter from Bedford, Pennsylvania. Alarms on
the Frontiers on account of the Indians. A par-
ty of the Shawanese out, it is supposed to at-
tack some part of Virginia, ... 364
30, "Join or Die!" An Appeal to the People to unite
in resisting the Parliament, and supporting Bos-
ton, 364
30, Address from the Magistrates of Middlesex Coun-
ty, Massachusetts, to Govemour Hutchinson, 364
Mr. Hutchinson's Answer, .... 365
30, A Meeting of a number of Persons of all societies,
in Philadelphia, determine to suspend all busi-
ness on the first of June, the day the Boston
Port Bill takes effect, (Note,) - - - 365
30, Committee of the Society of Quakers inform the
Publick that no person was authorized to repre-
sent them at the Meeting for suspending busi-
ness on the first of Jime, .... 365
June 1, People of Philadelphia, except the Friends, sus-
pend all business ; nine-tenths shut up their
houses. The Bells were rang muffled; and
Vessels in the Port had their Colours half
hoisted, (Note,) 365
6, Rector of Christ's Church, Philadelphia, ac-
quaints the Publick that the Bells of that
Church were not rang, on the 1st, with his
knowledge or approbation: he specially di-
rected there should be no observance of that
day in any of the Churches under his care,
(Note,) 365
May Queen Anne County, Maryland, Resolutions. The
30, cause of Boston, the common cause of America ;
all legal means should be adopted to procure
the repeal of the Boston Port Bill. All com-
mercial intercourse with Great Britain should
be stopped until that Act is repealed, and the
right assumed by Parliament, for taxing Ame-
rica, in all cases whatsoever, be given up. Com-
mittee of Correspondence and Intercourse ap-
pointed, 366
30, Letter from New- York to a Gentleman in Lon-
don, (Note,) 299
31, Bakimore County, Maryland, Resolutions. The
duty of every Colony in America to' imite to
obtain a repeal of the Boston Port Bill. This
County will join with the Province to stop
Trade with Great Britain and the West Indies.
Provincial Ccngress recommended; to be held
at Annapolis. Maryland should break offall
intercourse with any Colony who shall refuse
to come into similar Resolutions with a ma-
jority of the Colonies. Committee of Corres-
pondence appointed, 365
31, Letter from Govemour Perm to the Earl of
Dartmouth. An Express despatched to Phil-
adelphia, from Boston, with a proposal to stop
all "Tradi' with Great Britain. In consequence
of this a Meeting was held, where the matter
was considered and debated. It was resolved
to petition the Govemour to convene the Gen-
eral Assembly on the occasion. Should so af-
frontive an application be made, will treat it as
it deserves, 367
xr.i
1774.
Miy Letter from Governour Franklin, Burlington, to
31, the Earl of Dartmouth. Difficult to foresee
what will be the consequences of the Boston
Port Act. The Merchants of New- York and
Philadelphia, though inclined to co-operate
with Boston, unwilling to enter into a Gen-
eral Non-Importation and Non-Exportation
Agreement. A Congress has been proposed,
but whether it will take place is uncertain, - 368
31, Letter from New- York to a Gentleman in Lon-
don, (Note,) 299
3 1 , Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. Doubtful whether the other Colonies
will give Boston any thing but good words.
The violent seem to break, and the People to
fall off from them. The Assembly hurrying
through their business, to avoid meeting at
Salem, were suddenly adjourned by him to meet
there on the 7th of June. The Officers of
the Customs leave Boston to-morrow, and the
Admiral has stationed his Ships. No design
has yet appeared of opposing the Act. Many
wish for the arrival of the Troops ; People will
speak openly then, which they now dare not
do, 368
31, Letter from John Scollay, Boston, to Arthur Lee.
Injurious effects that will be felt by the whole
Province from the Boston Port Bill. Although
it was intended to ruin the Town, yet out of
this management of Lord North's, instead of
despotism and tyranny over the Colonies, a
foundation for peace and harmony with Great
Britain will be laid. The Colonies do not
wish for Independence, and they are too valu-
able for the Crown to part with, - - 369
31, Information of the Boston Port Bill received
with indignation at Charlestown, S. Carolina, 370
31, Letter from the Norfolk, Virginia, Committee, to
the Committee at Charlestown, South Carolina.
The time has come when the closest union is
necessary. The Boston Port Bill is an attack
upon the liberties of us all. We look to Charles-
town as among those to take the lead in the gen-
eral establishment of the rights of the Colonies.
Fear Boston will sink under the weight of
their misfortunes. Approve of the expediency
of a Congress. If, after all, the India Com-
pany must be reimbursed, every freeman will
cheerfully join in the general expense, - 370
June 1, Letter from Lieutenant Governour Colden, New-
York, to the Earl of Dartmouth. At the
time the Boston Port Bill was received in
New- York, the men who called themselves the
Committee, were, many of them, of the lower
rank, and all the warmest zealots of those called
the Sons of Liberty. The principal Inhabi-
tants, at a meeting held after the Port Act was
published, dissolved this Committee and appoint-
ed a new one, of the prudent people of the city.
No Resolutions have yet been adopted by this
Colony, 372
1, Letter from Major General Haldimand, New-
York, to the Earl of Dartmouth. Since the
late vigorous measures of Parliament, the loyal
Inhabitants fear not to disapprove the rash pro-
ceedings of their Countrymen. This has pre-
vented the passage of Resolutions to stop Trade
with Great Britain and the West Indies, - 373
1, Letter from New- York to a Gentleman in Scot-
land, (Note,) - 302
I, Fredericksburg, Virginia, Resolutions. Will
concur in every proper measure adopted by
the Colonies respecting Boston. Committee
of Correspondence appointed, - . . 373
I, Letter II, to the Inhabitants of the British Colo-
nies in America. An examination of the Acts
relating to America, - - - - - 374
1, An Address to all the English Colonies of North
America. Effects and consequences of the
Boston Port Bill, 377
2, Meeting of the Inhabitants of Kent County, Ma-
ryland. Committee of Correspondence ap-
pointed. Delegates to the Provincial Con-
gress at Annapolis, chosen. Collections made
for the suffering Poor of Boston, - - 379
2, Letter from a Member of the Assembly of New-
Jersey. Meeting of a Committee at New-
Brunswick. Will do whatever may be gen-
CONTENTS.
XLII
1774.
erally agreed on. Have requested the Govern-
our to convene the Assembly before the first of
August, 380
June 2, Letter received in Philadelphia from a Gentleman
in Boston. Closing the Port. Proposition to
pay for the Tea. General Gage ordered the
removal of the Province Money from Boston
to Salem. Treasurer refused to comply, - 380
2, Letter from New- York to a Gentleman in Eng-
land, 302
2, Letter from the Committee of Norfolk, Virginia,
to the Baltimore Committee. The late Acts of
Parliament viewed as fatal to the liberties of
the Colonies, and as a publick robbery of our
rights. The policy of attacking a Town or
Province singly, will never so delude, as to dis-
unite us from a joint and universal opposition
of all British America, - - - - 371
3, Letter from the Committee of Norfolk, Virginia,
to the Boston Committee. Are not indifferent
spectators of the distresses of Boston, under the
cruel exertion of British power. Observed the
first of June as a day of fasting and prayer.
Consider Boston as suffering in the common
cause, and feel bound by the most solemn and
sacred ties to support them in every measure to
regain their rights and privileges, - - 371
3, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to General
Gage. Encloses Acts for the better govern-
ment of, and the administration of Justice in,
Massachusetts Bay. The King has nominated
thirty-six persons for the Council of Massachu-
setts. Mr. Oliver, of Cambridge, appointed
Lieutenant Governour. Instructions. Vio-
lences must be resisted with firmness. The Acts
of Parliament must he obeyed throughout the
whole Empire, ..... 38O
3, Letter from the Committee of Correspondence for
Connecticut to the Committee of Correspond-
ence for Boston. The Assembly at their ses-
sion, which closed this day, came to Resolu-
tions relative to their rights and privileges.
Resolves of Colonies will have more weight
than those of the Merchants of separate Towns;
and measures recommended by the whole
tmited Colonies will have still greater weight
and influence, - . . - . 304
4, Letter from the Committee of Correspondence for
Connecticut to the New. York Committee, en-
closing a copy of the preceding Letter, which
they have also sent to Rhode-Island and New-
Hampshire, ...... 304
4, The King's birth-day. Not a house illuminated
at Charlestown; no demonstrations of joy,
(Note,) 382
4, Address to the People of Charlestown, South
Carolina, 382
4, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Resolutions.
Duty of all the Colonies to unite for obtaining
a repeal of the Boston Port Bill. A stoppage
of Trade with Great Britain and the West
Indies the most effectual means to obtain a
repeal. Provincial Congress recommended;
Members for Anne Arundel County appointed, 384
Questions submitted to the consideration of the
Committee for Anne Arundel County, (Note,) 385
4, Letter received at New-York from a Gentleman
of Philadelphia. Some of the friends of Bos-
ton here are too warm, and wish to push all
things into confusion. Our Letter, (of May
21,) moderate, yet warm and firm enough, - 386
4, Letter from Joseph Johnson, an Indian of the
Mohegan Tribe, to Jonathan Trumbull, Gov-
ernour of Connecticut, .... 386
6, Letter from the Earl of Dunmore, Williamsburg,
to the Earl of Dartmouth. Cannot tell to what
lengths the People of Virginia will be indu.
ced to proceed. Members of the late House of
Burgesses, after the arrival of the Boston mes-
senger, called a meeting of the People, and pro.
posed to them to agree to the violent measures
adopted at Annapolis, which, that they may be
more solemnly entered into, have deferred the
execution of it to the first day of Aiigust,
when all the Members of the late House of
Burgesses are required to attend, . - 387
G, Meeting of the Freeholders, Merchants and
other Inhabitants of the County of Prince
XLIII
CONTENTS.
XLIV
1774. William, and Town of Dumfries, in the Colony
of Virginia, •*"■.'"
June 6, Letter from Philadelphia to a Gentlenwn in Bos-
ton. Reasons why Boston should not pay fof
the Tea, --■■.•"
6, Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the
Township of Lower Freehold, in the County
of Monmouth, in New-Jersey, . - -
6, Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Nor-
wich, in the Colony of Connecticut, legally
wamtxl and convened, ....
7, Meeting of the Inhabitants of Essex County,
New- Jersey, called, . - - - -
7, Letter from the Committee of New- York to the
Committee of Correspondence in Boston,
7, Offer by the Merchants and Traders of Marble-
head, of their Stores and Wharves, to their op-
pressed brethren of Boston, during the opera-
tion of the Boston Port Bill, . . -
8, Petition of sundry Inhabitants of the Province of
Pennsylvania to Governour Penn, to call to-
gether the Assembly, on occasion of the late
Act of Parliament respecting the Town of
Boston, ... - ■ ". .*
Answer of the Governour. Does not think it
expedient or consistent with his duty, -
8, Meetmg of the Freeholders and other Inhabit-
ants of the County of Frederick, in Virginia,
and Grentlemen practising at the Bar, held in
Winchester, ...---
8, Letter from Governour Wentworth to the Earl
of Dartmouth. Took pains to prerail upon
tlie Assembly not to enter into extra Provincial
measures ; yet Committees of Correspondence
were appointed. They were adjourned imme-
diately, and, since then, kept under short ad-
journments, in hopes to obtain a suspension of
their votes. Dissolved the Assembly this day,
8, Message from Governour Wentworth to the As-
sembly of New-Hampshire. Measures en-
tered into by the House inconsistent with his
Majesty's service. His duty to prevent any
detriment that might arise from such Proceed-
ings ; therefore dissolves the Assembly,
8, Expressat Williamsburg from Pittsburgh. Shaw-
anese have declared war against the Whites,
8, Letter III, to the Inhabitants of the British Col-
onies in America, .....
Letter to the Author of the Letters to the Inhab-
itants of the British Colonies in America,
8, Address of the Boston Committee sent to the Peo-
ple of every Town in the Province, with the
Covenant, ......
Form of the Covenant sent to every Town in
Massachusetts, .....
8, Address of Merchants, Traders, and others, of
Boston, presented to Governour Gage, at Sa-
lem, .......
CJovernour Gage's Answer, ....
8, Resolutions of the House of Representatives of
Massachusetts. Convening the General As-
sembly at any other place than Boston, uime-
cessarily, a great Grievance,
9, Answer of the House of Representatives to the
Speech of Governour Gage, at the opening of
the Session, ......
9, Answer of the Council to the Governour's
Speech, .......
13, Committee of the Covuicil presented the Address
to the Governour. The Chairman not permit-
ted to read it through, ....
13, Messageof Governour Gage to the Coimcil. His
reason for refiising to receive the Address.
Considers it an insult to the King, and an af-
front to himself, .....
1 1, Address of Merchants and others, Inhabitants of
Salem, to Governour Gage, ...
Answer of the Governour, ....
11, Meeting of the Inhabitants of Harford County,
Maryland, ......
11, Meeting of the Freemen in the lower part of
Frederick County, Maryland, ...
11, Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of
the County of Essex, New-Jersey,
11, Letter from the New- York Committee to the
Committee of Correspondence for Connecticut,
1 1 , Letter from the New- York Committee to Bernard
Liutot. The hints he has furnished very pro-
388
388
390
390
- 391
303
391
391
- 391
- 392
393
394
394
394
395
397
397
398
399
- 399
400
400
401
401
1774.
Jvne
13.
13,
13,
13,
13,
13,
13,
14.
14,
15,
15,
15.
16,
16,
17.
17,
17,
17,
17.
17.
401
402
18,
402
18,
403
18,
305
18,
18.
per for the consideration of a General Congress
of Deputies from the different Colonies ; what
can or will be done, must be submitted to the
wisdom of their united Councils, - - 306
Letter from Norwich, in England, to a Gentleman
in New- York. Distresses of Manufacturers
in England, in consequence of the measures of
Parliament towards America, ... 404
Intelligence at W'illiamsburg, Virginia. War
with the Indians, 405
Meeting of Mechanicks at Philadelphia, held on
Thursday evening, the 9th, - - - 405
Letter from George Clymer, Philadelphia, to
Josiah Quincy, Jim. New- York and Penn-
sylvania object to the suspension of Tr.ide pro-
posed by Boston. Pennsylvania appears de-
terminetl on the Congress. General Subscrip-
tion opened for relief of Boston, - - 406
Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Parish of
Soutifi-Haven, in the County of Suffolk, New-
York, - - - - - - - 407
Meeting of the General Committee, Charlestown,
South Carolina. General Meeting of the Col-
ony called, to consider of the steps proper to
be taken in consequence of the late hostile Act
of the British i'arliament against Boston, - 408
Letter from CharlestowTi, South Carolina, to a
Gentleman of New- York. Merchants now
generally in favour of Non- Importation, - 408
Letter from Charlestown, South Carolina, to Phil-
adelphia. Charlestown will join in whatever
New-York and Philadelphia may adopt, - 408
Meeting of the Inhabitants of Charles County,
Maryland, 409
Letter IV, to the Inhabitants of the British Colo-
nies in America, - - - - - 4 1 0
Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Borough of
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, - - - - 415
Resolutions of the General Assembly of the Eng-
lish Colony of Rhode-Island and Providence
Plantations. Firm and inviolable union of all
the Colonies absolutely necessary for the pre-
servation of their rights and liberties. Dele-
gates to the Continental Congress appointed —
Instructions to the Delegates, ...
Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabit-
ants of the County of Dunmore, Virginia, -
The British American, No. 4, ...
Writs for an election of a new Assembly ordered
by the Governour and Council of Virginia, -
Address to the Gentlemen, Freeholders, and
others, in the County of New-Castle, upon
Delaware. Enumeration of Grievances. Meet-
ing of the Inliabitants of the Coimty recom-
mended, ......
Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of East-
Hampton, in the County of Suffolk, New-
York, .......
Resolutions of the House of Representatives of
Massachusetts. A Congress highly expedient
and necessary, to consult upon the present
state of the Colonies. Delegates on the part
of the Province appointed. Discontinuance
of the use of India Teas, and of the use of all
Goods and Manufactures imported from the
East Indies and Great Britain, recommended.
Encouragement of American Manufactures,
recommended, - - - - - 421
The General Assembly dissolved by Governour
Gage, ....... 422
Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabit-
ants of the Town of Boston, ... 423
None at the Meeting in fiivour of paying for the
Tea, (Note,) 423
All the Colonies in motion. Subscriptions for
support of Boston Poor, (Note,) - - 423
Address of Merchants and Freeholders of Salem,
to Governour Gage, .... 424
Answer of the Governour, .... 425
Meeting of the Inhabitants of Caroline County,
Maryland, ...... 425
Meeting of the Freeholders and Freemen of the
City and County of Philadelphia, - - 426
SpeecL of the Reverend William Smith at the
Meeting, - .... 407
Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of
the County of Chester, Pennsyh-ania, - - 428
Letter from Governour Franklm, Burlington, to
416
417
418
419
419
420
1774.
CONTENTS.
XLVI
June
19.
19,
20,
20,
20,
20,
20,
21,
21,
22,
22,
22,
22,
22,
22,
23,
23,
23,
24,
24.
the Earl of Dartmouth, Transmits a copy
of the Resolutions adopted at the Meeting in
Essex County. Has refused to convene the
Assembly in August. The other Counties are
expected to follow the example of Essex ; but
it is doubtful whether they will agree to a gen-
eral Non-Importation. Their principal aim
seems to be a Congress, ....
Letter from Fort Pitt to Philadelphia. Connolly
refused protection to three Shawanese who had
escorted the Traders in with their Peltry;
Sent a party to cut them off. Logan returned
to the Shawanese Towns with thirteen Scalps,
Letter from Boston to New- York. Attempts
to procure an Agreement to pay for the Tea,
defeated, ......
Address to the Lrhabitants of the Province of
South Carolina, . . . . -
Letters from southern parts of North Carolina.
Inhabitants there, recommend that Collections
be set on foot throughout the Continent for re-
lief of the most distressed in Boston,
Meeting of the Inhabitants of Frederick Coun-
ty, iVIaryland, - . . - -
Letter from Jolm Dickinson, Fairhill, to Josiah
Quincy, Jun. The Colonies very unanimous
in favour of a Congress, ....
"An American." On the means of obtaining
relief, .......
Letter from Cave Cumberland. Indian War
caused by Cresap and Greathouse,
Meeting of the Justices, Gentlemen of the Bar,
and principal Inhabitants of Northampton
County, Pennsylvania, ....
Letter from England to a Gentleman in New-
York. State of affairs in England,
Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabit-
ants of the County of Westmoreland, in Vir-
ginia,
Maryland Convention. Delegates to the Con-
vention. Resolutions. — Duty of every Colony
to unite against Boston Port Bill. Should
stop Trade with Great Britain if the Act is
not repealed. Instructions to Deputies to the
Congress. Subscriptions to be opened in the
several Counties for distressed Inhabitants of
Boston. Deputies to the Congress appointed.
Will break off Trade with the Colony, Prov-
ince or Tovra, that shall refuse to unite in such
measures as may be adopted by the Congress,
Reflections on appointing Delegates to the Gen-
eral Congress. Different modes of appointing
examined. The appointment by Provincial
Conventions recommended, ...
Letter from the General Association of Congre-
gational Ministers in Connecticut, to the
Clergymen in Boston, ....
Answer to the preceding Letter ; prepared but not
sent, through the confusion of the times.
Address of the Justices of the County of Wor-
cester, in Massachusetts, to Governour Gage,
Answer of the Governour, ....
Letters from Fort Pitt. White Inhabitants killed
by the Indians,
Extract from the Proceedings of the Town of
Windham, in Connecticut. Addresses to Gov-
ernour Hutchinson, an insult to the Town of
Boston, .......
Letter from Richard Henry Lee to Samuel
Adams. His Resolutions prepared to be of-
fered the day before the Assembly was dissolv-
ed by Lord Dunmore. After the dissolution,
proposed to the Members the plan of a Con-
gress. Indian War has compelled the Govern-
our to call a new Assembly. When they
meet, will adopt measures for redress of Griev-
ances,
Letter from Samuel Adams to Richard Henry
Lee. Inhabitants of Boston encouraged to
persevere by intelligence from every part of
the Continent. Lord North has made no pre-
paration for the effects of such an union.
Address to the Publick, from the Committee of
Charlestown, South Carolina, appointed to re-
ceive and forward Donations for the Poor of
Boston,
Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of
Spottsylvania County, Virginia, -
428
428
430
430
433
- 433
434
434
435
435
436
437
438
441
442
443
444
445
445
445
445
447
448
448
June
27,
17,
May
23,
24,
25,
26,
27,
June
28,
28,
28,
May
29,
June 3
449
306
450
1774.
June Extracts of Letters received in Philadelphia, from
24, Pittsburgh. Connolly's proceedings against
tl»e Pennsylvanians, ....
24, Letter from the Committee of Correspondence
appointed by the Assembly of New- York, to
the Committee of Correspondence for Connec-
ticut, - -
25, Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of
the County of Bergen, in the Province of
New-Jersey, ---...
26, Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. The General Court dissolved by Proc-
lamation outside of the door. Several Gentle-
men, encouraged by the late Resolutions of
Government, are endeavouring to procure a
compliance with the Boston Port Bill. Nei-
ther New- York, Philadelphia, nor Boston will
agree to a Non-Importation, though a Con-
gress of some sort may be obtained. The ar-
ri\'al of Troops has given spirits to the friends
of Government, .....
27, Peace Talk from the Creek Indians sent to Au-
gusta, Georgia. General Meeting of all the
Warriors of the Creek Nation called. The
Cherokecs have engaged to join the Creeks
in case of War, .....
27, Meeting of the Committee of Correspondence of
Norfolk and Portsmouth, in Virginia, - 45 1
27, Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of
the County of Morris, in the Province of East
New-Jersey, - ..... 452
27, Letter from Huntington, to a Gentleman in New-
York. Enclosing Resolutions unanimously
adopted in Tovvti Meeting, ... 453
21, General Town Meeting of the Inhabitants of
Huntington, in Suffolk Coimty, New- York, 453
27, Letter from Captain John Connolly, Pittsburgh,
to a Gentleman in Philadelphia. Has sent a
detachment to protect the Settlements about
Red Stone from the Shawanese, - - - 454
450
451
COUNCIL OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Meeting of the Council, at Philadelphia, - 454
Report of James Tilghman and Andrew Allen,
Commissioners appointed by the Honourable
John Penn, Esq., Governour of Pennsylvania,
to treat with the Right Honourable the Earl of
Dunmore, Governour of Virginia, on sundry
publick matters, - - - - - 454
Letter from James Tilgliman and Andrew Allen,
Williamsburg, to Lord Dunmore, - - 455
Letter from Lord Dunmore, Williamsburg, to
James Tilghman and Andrew Allen, - 456
Letter from James Tilghman and Andrew Allen,
Williamsburg, to Lord Dunmore, - - 457
Letter from Lord Dunmore, Williamsburg, to
James Tilghman and Andrew Allen, - - 459
Letter from James Tilghman and Andrew Allen,
Williamsburg, to Lord Dmimore, - - 461
Letter from Governour Penn, Philadelphia, to
Sir William Johnson. Requests his interposi-
tion and influence to induce the Six Nations to
become mediators between Pennsylvania and
the Shawanese and Delawares, - - - 461
Letter from Governour Penn to Lord Dunmore.
Danger of a general Indian War, unless Peim-
sylvania and Virginia prevent further progress
of hostilities. Conduct of Doctor Connolly;
his Military operations dangerous to the peace
of the Colonies in general. Hopes Lord Dun-
more does not encourage Connolly in the out-
rages laid to his charge, - - - - 46 1
Letter from Governour Penn to Arthur St. Clair.
Measures should be taken to prevent the re-
moval of the White Inhabitants from the Fron-
tiers, and to induce those who have gone to re-
turn. Has convened the Assembly, who will
adopt measures to afford effectual relief; in the
mean time he will send further supplies of Am-
mmiition, 462
Letter from Arthur St. Clair, Ligonier, to Gov-
ernour Penn. Alarm among the People. A
company of one hundred Rangers formed for
defence of Frontiers, .... 453
, Letter from John Montgomery, Carlisle, to Gov-
ernour Penn. People in Westmoreland Coun-
JXVII
1774.
CONTENTS.
XLVIII
June
3,
5,
10,
12,
12,
10.
14,
16,
19,
20,
22,
- 4G3
4G4
464
4G5
465
ty in great conftision ; in want of Arms and
Ammunition; unless specxlily furnished they
must leave the Country, * " ' .
Letter from John Montgomery, Carlisle, to Wil-
liam Allen. Distresses of the Country. Dela-
ware Indians well disposed, but Shawanese de-
ttrmint-d on war. Chie hundred Men raised to
ran^e from Fort Pitt to Ligonicr. Other pre-
parations for Defence, . . . -
Indian Intellis'ence. Traders on the Muskingum
safe ; the ShawTinese had taken preat pains in
protecting them. Shawanese quiet. A party
of Mingoes out; gone agamst that part of
Virginia where their friends were killed,
Letter'from Arthur St. Clair, Liiurel Hill, to Gov-
ernour Penn. Has hitherto thought there
would be no war, now thinks otherwise,
Letter from Arthur St. Clair, Ligonier,to Govem-
our Penn. Encloses Letter from Mr. Crogh-
an, ..-.-.-
Letter from George Croghan to Arthur St. Clair.
Employing the Rangers, in Pennsylvania, has
alanned Connolly. Measures of Connolly to
prevent settlement of disputes, ... 465
Letter from Ale.xander M'Kee, Agent for Indian
Affairs at Fort Pitt. Hostilities between In-
dians and Virginians. Indians have given
proof of their pacifick disposition. Reason to
tear the war will become general, - - 466
Letter from Arthur St. Clair, Ligonier, to Gov-
ernour Penn. Inhabitants of the Frontiers
alarmed, and retire to the Forts, or leave the
Country. In the Valley they still make a
stand. The intention of the Indians will soon
be known, ...... 466
Letter from Devereux Smith, Pittsburgh, to Gov-
ernour Penn, ...... 467
Letter from Devereux Smith, Pittsburgh, to Dr.
Smith. Extension of the Virginia Settlements
the cause of the dissatisfaction of the Indians.
Account of the origin and progress of the In-
dian hostilities. Connolly determined on a
war with the Indians. His violent proceedings
against the Pennsylvania Magistrates, - - 467
Letter from .(Eneas Mackay, Pittsburgh, to Gov-
ernour Penn. - - - - • -471
Letter from Arthur St. Clair to Governour Penn.
A further account of the proceedings of Con-
nolly, and of the Indian War. Delawares still
friendly to Pennsylvania, - - . - 47 1
Letter from William Thompson, Cumberland
County, to Governour Penn, ... 473
Letter from Lord Dunmore, at Williamsburg, to
Captain John Connolly. Approves his build-
ing a Fort at Wheeling, and of marching into
the Shawanese Towns. Ad\nses him to make
prisoners of as many Women and Children as
he can; and not to make peace mitil the Indians
are effectually chastised, .... 473
Letter from Arthur St. Clair, at Ligonier, to Gov-
ernour Perm. Two of the principal Traders
arrived safe at Pittsburgh, under protection of
Sliawanese Chiefs. Connolly ordered out a
party to make prisoners of the Shawanese
Chiefs. Those about Fort Pitt, (now Fort Dun-
more,) intent on a war. Has had a meeting with
some Six Nations and some Delawares, and
made them a present, in the name of the Gov-
ernour. Logan returned with thirteen Scalps
and one Prisoner, and says he will now listen
to the Chiefs, ...... 473
18, Proclamation by John Connolly, at Fort Dun-
more. Prohibits intercourse with the Indians, 475
Extracts from Mr. M'Kee's Journal of Indian
Transactions, ..... 475-483
JMay 1, Message to King Custologa, Captains White
Eyes, Pipe, and other Chiefs,
3, Conference, at Colonel Croghan's, between seve^
ral Chiefs and Captain Connolly, and others,
4, Arrival of several Delaware Chiefs,
."i. A Condolence held with the Six Nations, Dela-
wares, Shawanese, Munsies, Mohegans, and
Twightwees, ....
9, Speech delivered by several Chiefs, Six Nations
and Delawares, to the Governour of Viririnia,
16, Message from Custologa, by five principal Men
of the Delawares, ..... 473
17, Answer to Custologa's Message, ... 473
- 475
475
476
- 476
477
1774.
May
21,
21,
25,
Message received from the Delaware Chiefs at
Newcomer's Town, ....
Answer to the Message of the Delaware Chiefs,
Answer of the Delawares to the Condolence
Speeches, . . . . -
Answer of the Shawanese to the Condolence
Speeches, ......
Speech of Arthur St Clair to the Six Nations
and Delawares, ....
Speech to the Delawares, on receiving their An-
swer to the Condolence Speeches,
Reply of Captain White Eyes, . . -
June 1, Arrival of Moravian Indians, ...
5, Messengers from Newcomer, with intelligence.
Answer sent by the Messengers, ...
Answer of Lord Dunmore, at Williamsburg, to
the Speech of the Six Nations and Delawares,
at Pittsburgh, May 9th,
Ja-«« 9, Message sent with Lord Dunmore's Speech to
the Six Nations and Delawares,
Letter from William Thompson, in Cumberland
Coimty, to Governour Penn, ...
Letter from Arthur St. Clair, at Ligonier, to Gov-
ernour Penn. Connolly has sent in pursuit of
the Shawanees who escorted the Traders,
Memorial from the Inhabitants of Pittsburgh, !»
Governour Penn. Request relief from their
sufferings under the arbitrary proceedings of
Doctor Connolly, . . . . -
Statement of the Grievances of the People of
Pittsburgh, occasioned by the tyrarmical con-
duct of Doctor Connolly, ...
26,
26,
May
29,
22,
26,
25,
25,
478
478
- 479
479
- 480
480
481
481
481
482
482
483
483
483
483
484
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
June Letter from the Committee of Correspondence of
28, the Assembly of Pennsylvania, to the Commit-
tee of Correspondence of Massachusetts Bay.
The great cause of American Rights should
be left to the Representatives in every Colony.
Until this shall be fairly tried and fail, no other
mode should be attempted. A Congress, con-
stitutionally chosen, to ascertain our rights, and
establish a political union between Great Bri-
tain and the Colonies, would effectually secure
to Americans their future rights and privileges, 485
Remarks on the preceding Letter, (Note,) - 486
27, Address to the People of Boston, on paying for
the Tea, 487
27, Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabit-
ants of the Town of Boston, at Faneuil Hall.
Correspondence of the Committee ordered to be
produced and read. Motion to censure and an-
nihilate the Committee. Gentlemen in favour
of the motion patiently heard ; at their request
the Meeting adjourned tmtil to-morrow morn-
ing. The qtiestion then taken, and the mo-
tion rejected by a vast majority. Conduct of
the Committee approved, .... 439
29, Protest against the Proceedings of the Town
Meeting in Boston, held on the 27th of June;
against the doings of the Committee of Cor-
respondence, and against the Solemn League
and Covenant, ..... 499
29, Proclamation by Governour Gage, for discour-
aging of certain illegal Combinations. The
League and Covenant an unlawful instrument,
and the Letter of the Committee accompany-
ing it, scandalous, traitorous, and seditious.
All persons cautioned against signing the Co-
venant, - - - - . - -491
Remarks upon the Proclamation, (Note,) - 492
29, Meeting of the Freeholders and Freemen of the
County of Richmond, in Virginia, - - 492
Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of
Prince George's County, Virginia, - - 493
30, The British American, No. 5, ... 495
July 1, Letter from London, received in Philadelphia.
Men in power in England wish for an Indian
war, as a means of humbling and reducing the
rebellious Colonies. Policy of Great Britain
in regard to the Colonies, is to divide and con-
quer. Nothing but an union of the Colonics
to stop Trade will save America, - - 498
1, Meeting of the Freeholders of James City Coun-
ty, Virginia, ---... 499
1, Tea, at Portsmouth, in New- Hampshire, re-ship-
ped by order of the Town, - . , 499
XL IX
CONTENTS.
1774.
CONSTITCTIONAL POST omCB.
Jvly 2, Mr. Goddard's Proposal for establishing an Ame-
rican Post Office has been warmly patronized
in the Eastern Colonics, and preparations have
been made for the conveyance of the Mail, - 500
Plan for the establishing a new American Post
Office, 500
lU'ry Letter to Lord North. Dismissing Dr. Frank-
5, lin from the Post Office one of the most for-
tunate events for America. The Americana
will set up a Post Office of their own, and put
aji end to the precedent, so often referred to, for
Taxing them, (Note,) - . . . 500
28, Letter from New- York to a Gentleman in Bos-
ton. Our tame submission to the Post Office
Establishment has been constantly urged as a
precedent for all other unconstitutional Acts.
If we oppose it now, with manly firmness, we
cannot fail of success. Mr. Goddard's Plan is
well calculated to save the cause of Liberty,
«■ .,J^°'®') 500
March Mr. Goddard at Boston. He has received the
17, greatest encouragement from all the Colonies
through which he has passed. At a Meeting
in Boston, it was determined to unite with the
Southern Colonies in support of this measure
for the recovery of American Liberty, (Note,) 500
Heads of a Subscription Paper, for the establish-
ment of an American Post Office, laid before
the Committee of Correspondence at Boston,
(Note,) 501
29, Mr. Goddard at Salem, on the subject of estab-
lishing a Post Office independent of the un-
constitutional Laws of a British Parliament,
(Note,) 501
April Mr. Goddard at Portsmouth : At a Meeting of
15, the Committee of Merchants, Traders, and
other Inhabitants, a Subscription to support the
American Post Office, unanimously agreed
upon, (Note,) 502
21, Letter from Philadelphia to a Gentleman at Wil-
liamsburg. The Post Office as established is
an infringement of American Liberties ; but the
new one proposed can scarcely succeed under
Mr, Goddard. The Merchants of Philadel-
phia have preferred Mr. Bradford for the pri-
vate Post set up between that place and Phil-
adelphia, (Note,) 502
21, Mr. Goddard at Boston, with Letters from To\vns
to the Eastward, expressing their concurrence
in the establishment of a Post Office, on consti-
tutional principles, throughout the Continent.
The removal of Dr. Franklin from the Post
Office has added fresh spirit to the promoters
of this salutary plan, (Note,) ... 503
May 5, The Subscription for establishing an American
Post Office has been liberally patronized. —
Mr. Goddard will return homeward, rejoicing
in the great success which has attended his en.
deavours to rescue the channel of publick and
private intelligence from the horrid fangs of
Ministerial despotism, (Note,) ... 503
19, The report that the Constitutional Post Rider
between Philadelphia and Baltimore, with a
large sum of money entrusted to his care, had
absconded, is untrue, (Note,) - - - 503
June 2, Mr. Goddard at New- York, with important de-
spatches for all the Southern Colonies, the plan
for establishing a Constitutional American Post
Office having met with the greatest success in
all the great Commercial Towns ia the North-
ern Colonics, (Note,) .... 503
16, Information of the proceedings in the Colonies for
the establishment of an American Post Office
received in London. When General Gage ar-
rives in America, he will stop the career of the
new Post Riders and their employers, (Note,) 503
July 6, Letter from Philadelphia to a Gentleman in Wil.
liamsburg. Objections to Mr. Goddard. At a
Meeting of the Mechanicks, they refused to
hear read Letters relating to the establishment
of the Post Office, as the Americans had enough
to do already, (Note,) .... 503
16, The Deputy Postmasters General of North Ame^
rica alarmed at the progress making to establish
a new Post Office, (Note,) ... 504
25, Letter from Baltimore to a Gentleman in Wil.
liamsburg. A complete plan of establishing a
FouETH Series.
1T74.
new American Post Office has been executed
throughout the New England Governments.
Mr. Goddard will leave here for Williams-
burg, to lay his plan before the Convention,
(Note,) 504
Aug. Mr. Goddard's Plan for establishing an Ameri.
1 1, can Post Office was agitated at the Convention
in Virginia, \vho considered it worthy the at-
tention of the General Congress, and, as such,
particularly recommended it to the Delegates
from Virginia, (Note,) . - . -504
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
July 3, Letter from Boston, received in New. York.
Distresses of the People there ; their patience,
resolution, and firmness. The League and
Covenant very generally signed, notwthstand-
ing the Governour's Proclamation, - . 505
4, Letter from Carlisle, received in Philadelphia.
Connolly's attack on the Shawanese, who pro.
tected the Traders. Letter of thanks from
Ijord Dunmore to Cresap, who first began the
quarrel with the Indians, .... 505
4, Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of
Orange To\vn, in the Province of New. York, 506
4, Opinions in London of the state of affairs in the
Colonies. The faction in Boston composed of
Smuggling Companies, Mechanicks, Mer-
chants indebted in England, and those who
are fascinated with the extravagant notion of
Independency. Seditious Committees appoint-
ed to influence the other Colonies. From Let-
ters and other intelligence, it is evident that no
permanent or vigorous measures of resistance
can be adopted to support the Boston Rebels, 507
4, Address to the Inhabitants of the Province of
South Carolina, about to assemble on the 6th
of July, 508
4, Letter from Governour Wentworth, in New-
Hampshire, to the Earl of Dartmouth. Twen-
ty-seven chests of Tea landed and stored at the
Custom- House. The Consignee agreed with
the Committee of Portsmouth to re-ship it.
Mob prevented from destroying the Tea. Ves-
sel with the twenty.seven chests sailed for Hali-
fax, June 30, 512
5, Letter from a Gentleman in London, to his Cor-
respondent in Philadelphia, . - - 513
5, Letter from Governour Penn, Philadelphia, to
the Earl of Dartmouth. Temper of the Peo-
pie very warm. They consider Boston as suf-
fering in the common cause,
5, Address to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies
in America, (Note,) - - . - .
Reply to the preceding Address, (Note,) .
5, Letter from Governour Grage, at Salem, to the
Earl of Dartmouth. A number attended the
late Town Meeting, to make a push to pay for
the Tea, and annihilate the Committee of Cor-
respondence, but were out-voted by a great
majority of the lower class. Has done all in
his power to spirit up every friend to Govern-
ment ; and there is now an open opposition to
the faction. The terrour of Mobs is over, and
the Press is becoming free, ...
6, Address of the Justices of the County of Ply.
mouth, to Governour Gage, ...
The Governour's Answer, ....
6, Letter from Governour Wentworth to the Earl of
Dartmouth. Went with the Council and the
Sheriff and dispersed an illegal Meeting, held
for the purpose of appointing Delegates to a
General American Congress, ...
6, Letter from Lieutenant Governour Golden to the
Earl of Dartmouth. After a continual strug-
gle of many weeks in the New. York Commit-
tee, they have carried the nomination of Depu-
ties to the Congress. These transactions are
dangerous and illegal, but cannot be prevented.
The Province every where, except in the City
of New- York, perfectly quiet, - - - 517
6, Meeting of the Inhabitants of the City of New-
York, convened in the Fields, - - - 312
6, Letter from Alexandria, in Virginia, to a Gen-
tleman in Boston. Subscriptions for the relief
of the Poor in Boston, - - - - 517
- 514
300
399
514
515
516
516
lA
1774.
July
6.
6.
CONTENTS.
Ui
7,
7.
8,
8.
8.
8,
8.
518
Mminffofthe Freeholders, Merchants. 1 raders,
and other U»habitants of the County and Bo-
rouffh of Norfolk, in Virginia, - -
Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Governour
Ponn Requires him to exert every power the
Constitution has placed in his hands to defeat
any attempt to insult the authority of Great
Britain, - • - ",',.'
Letter from the Earl of Dartmftuth to Lieutenant
Governour Golden. Hopre the People of IN ew-
York will not, by their rash proceedings, ex-
pose themselves to the just resentment of l^r-
liament, --•""""
The British American, No. 6, " , -^.
Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of the County of Culpepper, in Virginia, -
Proclamation of Lord Dunmore. Prorogues the
Assembly from August U, to first Ihursday
in November, - - - " "
Letter from Governour Hutchinson, I^ndon, to a
Friend in Boston. Urges the payment for the
Tea, by the Town of Boston, ' , '^ "
Resolutions unanimously adopted by the Free-
holders and Inhabitants of Hunterdon County,
in the Province of New-Jersey,
Letter from Charlestown, in South Carolina, re-
ceived in New- York. Account of the Meet-
ing held in Charlesto^vn, on the 6th, - -
Resolutions unanimously entered into by the In-
habitants of South Carolina, at a CJeneral Meet-
ing held at Charlestown, in said Colony, on
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the 6th.
7th, and 8th days of July, - - - ■
British Subjects in America owe the same allegi-
ance to the CrowTi, and are entitled to the same
rights with Subjects born in Great Britain, -
No Taxes can be imposed on the People, but by
their own consent, ""'","
It is a fundamental right of his Majesty s Sub-
jects, that no Man shall sufTer, in person or pro-
perty, without a fair trial, - - ' . , ."
Sending a person beyond the Sea to be tried is
oppressive, illegal, and highly derogatory to
British Subjects, . - - - " . , "
The Statute of Thirty-fifth of Henry Eighth, for
Trial of Treasons committed out of the IGng's
Dominions, does not extend to the Colonies, -
The Boston Port Act, and the Acts relating to
the Government of Massachusetts Bay, are of
the most alarming nature to all America,
though levelled immediately at the People of
Boston, """""■]
It is the duty of all the Colonies to assist and
support the People of Boston, by all lawful
ways in their power, - - - -
Delegates to the General Congress appointed,
and instructed, . . . - -
While the oppressive Acts relative to Boston are
enforced, will contribute towards their relief.
Will, by all means, endeavour to preserve har-
mony and union amongst all the Colonies,
Committee of Ninety-Nine appointed, as a Gene-
ral Committee of Correspondence,
Names of the Committee for Charlestown,
Address of Francis Lewis, and other Members of
the Committee, to the Inhabitants of tlie City
and Coimty of New- York, ...
Reply to the Address, by " One of the Commit-
tee," -
Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of Esaex County, in Virginia, . - .
General Meeting of the Freeholders of the Coun-
ty of Fauquier, in Virginia, ...
General Meeting of the Freeholders and Liliabi-
lants of the County of Naiisemond, iu Virginia,
Letter from Charlestown, in South Carolina, to a
Correspondent in Boston. Proceedings on the
Resolutions adopted in Charlestown,
Account of the Meeting held in Charlestown, on
the 6th. 7th, and 8th days of July, (Note,)
Death of Sir William Jolmson, (Note,) -
Letter from MiUs Brewton, Charlestown, South
Carolina, to Josiali Q,uincy, Jun. Massachu-
setts will not fall for want of friends ; if Boston
does but persevere, her sisters will work out
her salvation without the Musket. A Sloop
load of Rice sent to Boston, and will soon send
more, .......
1774.
July
U'.
12.
13.
519
510
519
522
523
524
524
525
525
525
525
525
525
525
526
526
526
526
526
526
5'26
8,
9.
9.
9,
II,
11,
11,
12,
313
314
527
528
529
531
531
645
14,
14,
14,
14,
14,
Committee of Inspection appointed at Portsmouth,
in New-Hampshire, ",',,■ * 7
Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants ol
the County of New-K.nt, in Virginia -
Letter from Governour Wentworth to the ii-arl
of Dartmouth. The Meeting of Representa-
tives at Portsmouth, dispersed. At a private
meeting a Convention cnlled to meet at Exeter,
on the 21st, to appoint Delegates to the Con-
gress, - - ■ T, .',,■" *r
Express at Williamsburg, with intelligence of
skirmishes with the Indians. Militia ordered
out by the Governour, - - ," , , . '
Meeting of the Freeholders, and others, Inhabit-
ants of Chesterfield County, Virginia, -
General and full Meiting of the Inhabitants ol
Gloucester County, Virginia, - ' '
General Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabit
ants of Caroline County, Virginia,
The British American, No. 7, - • '
COUNCIL OF PENNSYLVANIA.
. 534
535
536
536
537
- 538
539
541
545
545
546
546
546
July
14 Meeting of the Council at Philadelphia,
June Letters laid before the Board, containing favour-
29, able accounts of the disposition of the Indians,
Conclusion of Extract from Mr. M'Kee's Journal
of Indian AfUiirs, (see page 483.) Conference
with the Indians at Pittsburgh. Address from
the Chiefs of the Delawares. Speech of Cap-
tain White Eyes,
30, Letter from John Montgomery, at Carlisle, to
Governour Penn. Shawanese seem well dis-
posed. Logan returned with thirteen scalps.
Says he is now satisfied, and will set still until
he hears what the Long Knife will say,
July 2, Letter from Richard Lee, President of the Mary-
land Council, to Governour Penn,
4, Letter from Arthur St. Clair, at Ligonier, to Gov-
ernour Penn. Large body of Virginians m
motion. Colonel Henry Lewis ordered to
Kenhawa; Major M' Donald to Wheeling;
Cresap. and three others, to raise Ranging
Companies, ''"''',
8, Letter from .^neas Mackay, Joseph Spear, and
Devereux Smith, at Pittsburgh, to Joseph
Shippen, Junior. Captain White Eyes has
returned, with assurances of friendship from
the Shawanese, Delawares, Wyandots, and
Cherokees. Dr. Connolly continues his au-
thority. The persons of the Magistrates are
daily insulted, their property forcibly taken,
and their lives threatened. Various instances
of his outrages, .... - 547
12, Letter from Arthur St. Clair, at Hanna's Town,
to Governour Penn, 548
17, Letter from Arthur St. Clair, at Ligonier, to
Governour Penn. Virginians determined to
put a stop to the Indian Trade with Virginia.
Connolly and two others have an exclusive
privilege to carry it on, on the Frontiers of
Virginia. The laying out of a new Town
proposed. ......
547
549
534
July
14,
14,
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Province of
Georgia called, to be held at the Liberty Pole,
at Savannah, on the 27th, . . -
Chiefs of the Six Nations on their way to hold a
Congress with Sir William Johnson,
Meeting of the loyal and patriotick People of the
County of Henrico, in Virginia,
^""••"j — *- --, -, ,
Meeting of the Freeholders of the County of Mid-
dlesex, in Virginia,
Meeting of the Inhabitants of the County of Din
widdie, in Virginia, . - . -
Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the
County of Middlesex, in New-Jersey, .
Delegates to the General Congress of Commis-
sioners of the English American Colonies, ap-
pointed by the Committee of Correspondence of
ConiKclicut, ......
Three of the Delegates having resigned, others
appointed on the 3d August, ( Note,)
Proclamation by General Gage. Deserters who
return by the 10th of August, to be pardoned ;
on failure of so doing, to expect no mercy,
549
550
550
551
- 552
55J
. 554
554
555
LIII
1774.
July Provincial Meeting of Deputies, chosen by the
15, several Counties in Pennsylvania, held at Phil-
adelphia, July 15, and continued, by adjourn-
ments, to the 21st,
List of the Members, .....
Letters from Boston, of May 13th, read and con-
sidered, .--..--
Alleg-iance to the King of Great Britain acknow-
ledged, -------
Unconstitutional Independence on the parent state
is abhorrent to our principles ; and our desire
is, that harmony may be restored.
Inhabitants of the Colonics entitled to the same
rights that British born Subjects are.
The power assumed by Parliament to bind the
Colonies, in all cases whatsoever, imconstitu-
tional, -...-.
The Acts of Parliament relating to Massachu-
setts, unconstitutional, oppressive, and danger-
ous : and the People of Boston are suffering
in the common cause, . . . -
A Congress should immediately assemble, to
form a general plan of conduct for all the
Colonies, -..-..
Suspension of Trade will be agreed to by this
Province ; but a statement of Grievances and
claim for Redress, in the first place, would be
preferred, ......
If any proceedings of Parliament shall, in the
opinion of the Congress, render other steps
necessary, this Province will adopt and carry
them into execution, . - - .
Venders of Merchandise ought not to take advan-
tage of a Non- Importation ; but sell for the
same prices as heretofore, - - - -
People of this Province will break 03*311 dealing
of any kind with any Colony that shall not
adopt such general plan as may be agreed to
in Congress, --...-
Subscriptions for the distressed Inhabitants of
Boston to be set on foot throughout the Prov-
ince, .......
Thanks to Mr. Dickinson, - . . -
Mr. Dickinson's Reply, (Note,) - - -
Instructions from the Convention to the Repre-
sentatives in Assembly, - - . -
Argumentative part of the Instructions,
16, Meeting of a respectable body of the Freeholders
and other Inhabitants of the County of Surry,
in Virginia,
16, Contributions from Maryland, for the relief of
Boston, - -
1 5, Meeting of a number of Freeholders and Inhabit-
ants of the County of Sussex, in New-Jersey,
16, Letter from the Committee of Boston to the Com-
mittee of Baltimore, - - . .
1 8, Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of York County, in Virginia, - - -
IS, General Meeting of the Freeholders and other
Inhabitants of the County of Fairfax, in Vir-
ginia, .......
PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLY.
July Assembly, convened by the Governour, met this
18, day, -
Message from the Governour. State of Indian
affairs, -.-....
19, Committee of Correspondence lay before the
House Letters from Massachusetts Bay,
Rhode-Island, and Virginia, . . -
Letters to be considered on the 21st,
The Convention now sitting, may be admitted, to
hear the debates of the House, on that day, -
Petition from Northumberland County,
Ninth Resolution of the Convention laid before
the House, ------
Governour's Message considered, . - -
20, Letters from Benjamin Franklin, with some
papers on publick affairs, communicated to the
House by the Speaker, - .. - -
Payment of the Rangers raised by the Magis-
trates of Westmoreland County, authorized,
21, The Convention waited on the House, and sub-
mitted their Resolves and Instructions,
22, Letters from Massachusetts Bay, Rhode- Island,
and Virginia, considered in Committee of the
Whole,
CONTENTS.
555
555
555
555
555
556
- 556
550
556
556
556
557
557
557
557
558
564
593
593
594
594
595
597
602
602
603
604
604
604
605
605
605
605
606
606
1774.
July
22,
21,
23,
July
19,
19,
19,
19,
20.
20.
20,
21,
21,
21,
Resolution, that there is an absolute necessity for
a General Congress, to consult together on the
state of the Colonies, unanimously adopted.
Delegates to the Congress appointed.
Committee to prepare Instructions for the Dele-
gates, -...---
Paper signed " a Freeman," handed about among
the Members of the House on the 21st, against
the appointment and proceedings of the Con-
vention, (Note,) . . . -
Letter received from Major Hamilton, command
ing officer of the Barracks, - . -
Committee to examine the Barracks,
Instructions to the Delegates appointed to attend
the Congress, --.--.
Letter to the Speakers of the several Assemblies
of the Colonies, . . . . .
Answer to the Governour's Message,
Adjourned to Monday, the 19th September,
LIV
606
607
607
- 607
607
608
608
609
609
610
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
Resolutions adopted and published by the New-
York Committee, - - - - - 315
Meeting of a majority of the Committees from
the several Townships in the County of Mon-
mouth, of the Colony of New- Jersey, - 610
Address of the Justices of the County of Suffolk,
in Massachusetts, to Governour Gage, - 613
The Governour's Answer, - - - - 613
Address of the Freeholders and Tradesmen of
Easton, in the County of Bristol, to Govern-
our Gage, ------ 613
The Governour's Answer, - - - - 614
Letter from a Gentleman in Bristol, England, to
his friend in Philadelphia. Publick opinion
in England strong against America. No-
thing but firmness on the part of the Ameri-
cans will ensure them the victory, - - 614
Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of
Dartmouth. Merchants have not repeated
their attempts to comply with the Port Bill,
with the spirit he hopal for. Some disaffected
persons in Charlestown, have sent some Rice
for the support of Boston ; and a few Sheep
have been sent from some other places. When
the Congress assembles, the Boston Faction . .
will probably pay the other Colonies the com-
pliment of taking their advice. The virulent
party at New- York is routed. Philadelphia
is moderate. The Fast Day appointed by the
Faction was kept as generally in Boston, as if
it had been appointed by authority, - - 615
Meeting of the Freeholders of Hanover County,
Virginia, -....- 615
Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of Stafford County, Virginia, - - - 617
General Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Dis-
trict of Wilmington, in the Province of North
Carolina, - - - - - -618
Circular Letter from the Wilmington Committee
to the Freeholders of the several Counties of
the Province of North Carolina, - - 619
The British American, No. 8, - - - 620
General Meeting of the Committees of the several
Counties in the Province of New-Jersey, at
New-Brunswick, on the 21st, 22d, and 23d
days of July, -.-..- 624
The Inhabitants of New-Jersey are firm and
unshaken in their loyalty to the King, and
detest all thoughts of an Independence on the
Crown, --.... 624
The claim of the Parliament to make Laws to
bind the King's American Subjects in all cases
whatsoever, unconstitutional, and oppressive,
and we are bound to oppose it by all constitu-
tional means, ------ 624
The late Acts of Parliament relative to Massa-
chusetts, subversive of the rights of his Ma-
jesty's American Subjects, - . - 624
The most eligible method to procure a redress of
Grievances, is to appoint a Congress from all
the Colonies, empowered to pledge, each to the
rest, the honour and faith of their constituents,
inviolably to adhere to the determinations of the
Congress, --..-- 624
General Non- Importation and Non-Exportation
Agreement recommended, ... 624
LV
1774.
July
21.
21,
21,
23,
23,
20,
20,
5,
10.
July
25,
25.
25,
26,
26,
26,
27,
27,
27,
27,
27,
CONTENTS.
LVI
27.
Collections to be made throughout the Proriuce,
for relief of Boston, ... - 625
Delegates to the General Continental Congress
appointed, and instructed, ... - 626
Proclamation by Governour Gage, for the en-
couragement of Pirty and Virtue, and for pre-
venting and punishing Vice, Profanity, and
Inamoraliiy, ------ 625
Address to the worthy Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston, -..--- 626
Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadel-
piiia. The storm against Doctor Franklin
much abated. Opinions in England on the
late measures against America. Many per-
sons in favour of the Colonies. Granville
Sharp warmly on their side, ... G28
Letter from Governour Gage to Governour
Trumbull. Encloses him affidavits relating
to the treatment of Mr. Green. Expects tlie
accused persons will be apprehended and
brought to trial, 629
Affidavit of Caleb Scott, - - - - 629
Affidavit of Francis Green, - - • - 630
Representation of Hezekiah Bissell, Benjamin
Lothrop, Timothy Liirrabee, and Ebenezer
Backus, to Governour Trumbull, of the treat-
ment of Mr. Green, - - - - 631
Letter from Governour Trumbull to Governour
Ghige. Has inquired into Mr. Green's com-
plaint and finds others put a very different face
upon the transaction. Full provision is made
by Law for such offences, and Mr. Green may
obtain the satisfaction his cause may merit, - 633
Letter from Governour Sir James Wright to the
Earl of Dartmouth. Carolina in great wrath
about the Acts of Parliament relative to Mas-
sachusetts Bay; and have come to some very
indecent Resolutions. There are in Georgia
some malecontents and Liberty People, whose
conduct he cannot answer for, . - . 633
Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabit-
ants of the County of Elizabeth City, and
To\vn of Hampton, in Virginia, - - 634
Reflections on the measures proper to be adopted
by the Congress ; and suggestions for the con-
sideration of the Delegates, . . - 634
Town Meeting in Boston. Circular Letter to
the Tovms relative to the Bills for vacating
the Charter of Massachusetts, - - - 637
Meeting of the Freeholders of the County of
Albemarle, in Virginia, . . - . 637
Letter from the New- York Committee, to the
Committee of Correspondence, at Charlesto wn.
South Carolina. 320
Letter from Governour Grage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth, 638
General Meeting of the Inhabitants of Georgia,
held in Savannah, . . - . . 638
Account of the Meeting, (Note,) - . . 639
Paper by Josiah Martin, in behalf of the Sugar
Colonies, (Note,) 639
Meeting of a very respectable body of the Free-
holders and other Inhabitants of the County
of Accomack, in Virginia, ... 639
Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabit-
ants of the County of Princess Aime, in Vir-
ginia, - 640
Letter received in Philadelphia from London.
Resolutions of Philadelphia, Maryland, and
Virginia, esteemed very inoffensive, and as the
mere ebullitions of a set of angry men. Mr.
Hutchinson is much courted by the Adminis-
tration. Americans, both at Court and in Lon-
don, daily ridiculed. The Congress must
agree not to purchase or use the Manufac-
tures of Great Britain until the Acts are re-
pealed, as the only means of preserving the
Liberty of the Coimtry, - . . - 64 1
Address to the Inhabitants of New-Jersey. De-
fence of the measures of Parliament, a denial
of the authority of Great Britain to impose a
Duty on Tea, absurd. Cautions the People
against the madness of some men, who are
inflaming their minds and hurrying them into
an open rupture with the Mother Comitry;
when, involved in the horrours of a Civil War
to the ruin of their liberty, they may be com-
pelled to submit by force, .... Q42
1774.
July
28,
28,
22,
Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabit-
ants of the County of Buckingham, in Vii'
28,
28,
28,
28,
28,
28.
28,
28,
29,
30,
30,
30,
30,
31,
gmia,
- 643
AU!^.
Proclamation of the Governour of Pennsylvania,
for the apprehension of John Hinckson and
James Cooper, - . . -
Letter from Guy Johnson to Governour Penn.
Death of Sir William Johnson. Has had a
Conference with the Si.x Nations, who will send
Deputies to the southward to accommodate
matters, ....---
Account of the death of Sir William Johnson,
on the 11th instant, (Note,) - - -
Governour Penn advisinl by the Council to write
to the Earl of Dartmouth, and inform him of
all the late proceedings in Pennsylvania, by
the Committees and the Assembly,
Letter from Boston, received in New- York. —
Firmness of the People there. Encouraged to
persevere from all the Colonies, - - -
Address to the Gentlemen of the General Con-
vention of Virginia. Stoppage of Trade with
Great Britain will not procure a redress of
Grievances. It is better to throw aside all tem-
porizing methods. Let the Congress demand
a ratification of our claims from the King and
Parliament. If denied, we shall be prepared
for the ahernative. With the Sword our fore-
fathers obtained their rights — by the Sword it
is our duty to defend them, . . -
The British American, No. 9. If Great Britain
should attempt to enforce the legislation of Par-
liament in America, the Americans must draw
their Swords in a just cause, and rely on that
God who assists the righteous. Thomson Ma-
son avows himself the author of these Letters,
Address to the People of Pennsylvania. Rea-
sons why the Tea should not be paid for.
Letter from the Committee of Correspondence, of
New-Jersey, to the Committee of Boston,
A Brief Examination of American Grievances :
being the heads of a Speech at the General
Meeting at Lewestown, on Delaware, -
Letter from the Committee of New- York to the
Committee of Correspondence at Philadel))hia,
Letter from the New- York Committee to Mat-
thew Tilghman, Chairman for Maryland,
Letter from the New- York Committee, to the
Committee or Treasurer of the different Coim-
ties, -.---..
Letter from Governour Penn to the Earl of
Dartmouth. The Resolutions of the Assem-
bly rather a check, than an encouragement, to
the Proceedings of the Convention,
Letter from London to a Gentleman in New-
York. The prevailing opinion in England is,
that the Colonies mean nothing — they must
be divided by the arts of the Administration.
Their opposition should be early and vigor-
ous, .-..-.
Letter from London to a Gentleman in New-
York. Fears there will be a want of union
among the Colonies. Without this, any expe-
dients they may adopt will avail little,
Letter from London to a Gentleman in New-
York. A general suspension of Commerce,
until our grievances are redressed, is the only
safe and sure measure. I'he Ministry believe
that the terror of their measures will make all
America silent and submissive, . . -
Queries relatitig to the Resolutions of some
Gentlemen, styling themselves a Committee
of the City of New- York, (Note,)
Letter from Lieutenant Governour Bull to the
Earl of Dartmouth. An universal spirit of
jealousy is raised against Great Britain. Ex-
emption from Taxation is claimed, but by their
own Representatives. This spirit of opposi-
tion to Taxation so violent and universal, that
it will not be soon or easily appeased, -
1 , Convention of the Representatives of the Freemen
of the Government of the Counties of New-Cas-
tle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware, meet at
New-Castle, ---...
List of the Members, . - . . ,
Resolutions adopted at a General Meeting of the
Freeholders and Inhabitants of the County of
New-Castle, on Delaware, on the 29th of June,
- 644
645
645
645
646
647
648
654
657
658
321
321
322
661
- 661
661
662
318
663
663
663
664
LVIt
1774.
July
20.
CONTENTS.
LVIII
1,
2,
2.
3,
Resolutions adopted at a Meeting of the Free-
holders and other Inhabitants of Kent County,
on Delaware, on the 2()th of June,
Resolutions adopted at a General Meetings of the
Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Coun-
ty of Sussex, on Delaware, on the 23d of July,
Letters from the Committees of Correspondence
of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, the
Dominion of Virg^inia, the Colonies of Rhode-
Island, South Carolina, and Maryland, read,
Grievances of the Colonies, under the Acts of
Parliament, ...--.
Deputies to the Cong-ress appointed,
Instructions to the Deputies, . . - -
Aug. 1, Letter from London to a Gentleman in New-
York. Act of Parliament prohibiting the
shipping of Utensils used in the manufacture
of Cotton, Wool, or Silk, - - - .
Condition of the Town of Boston, - - .
Letter from Lieutenant Governour Golden to the
Earl of Dartmouth. The Deputies from New-
York, to the General Congress, moderate men.
Though great pains have been taken in the
several Colonies to uiduce the People to enter
into Resolves, they have succeeded only in Suf-
folk Coimty, -----
Letter from Wilmington, in North Corolina, to a
Gentleman in Boston. Subscriptions for the
relief of Boston. At a meeting of six Counties
in Wilmington, it was unanimously resolved
to assist Massachusetts by every legal mea-
sure, .....--
Letter from Wilmington, in North Carolina, to a
Gentleman in Boston. Two thousand Pounds
subscribed for Boston : very considerable will
be contributed at Newbem and Edenton; Sub-
scriptions on foot in every County. The Ves-
sel, with a load of Provisions for Boston, goes
freight free, and the Master and Mariners navi-
gate her without receiving one farthing wages.
South Carolina Assembly meet at eight o'clock
in the morning, . . . . -
Ratify and confirm the Proceedings of the Gene-
ral Meeting of Inhabitants on the 6th, 7th, and
8th of July,
Message from the Assembly to Lieutenant Gov-
ernour Bull. Request him to distribute among
the poor Settlers. Arms and Ammunition to
protect them against the Indians,
Assembly prorogued by the Lieutenant Govern-
our at half past eight o'clock, - - .
Notice of the Proceedings of the Assembly at the
Session held yesterday, . - - .
Letter from Lieutenant Governour Bull to the
Earl of Dartmouth. The Assembly met pri-
vately and punctually at eight yesterday morn-
ing. I immediately went fo the Council Cham-
ber and prorogued them to September 6, but
they had, previously, passed their Resolutions,
Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Lieuten-
ant Governour Colden. Encloses an Order
in Council disallowing certain Acts,
Representation of the Board of Trade to the
King, of the 12th of May, with reasons for dis-
allowing certain Acts passed by the Assembly
of New- York,
Order in Council, of the 6th of July, declaring
the Acts void, and of no efiijct,
- 664
665
666
667
667
667
668
669
- 669
2,
3,
3,
3,
COUNCIL OP PENNSYLVANIA.
670
670
671
- 671
671
672
672
672
- 672
673
- 673
Aug. Letters and Papers submitted to the Council, by
4, the Governour, ..... (374
New Town to be laid out at Kittaning, for accom-
modation of Traders and Inhabitants of Pitts-
burgh, 674
6, Letter from Governour Penn to Arthur St. Clair, 674
Message from Governour Penn to the Chiefs and
Warriors of the Shawanese Indians, - - 675
Message from Governour Penn to the Chiefs and
Warriors of the Delaware Indians, - - 676
July Letter from Arthur St. Clair to Governour Penn.
22, Friends of Pennsylvania determined to abandon
Pittsburgh. Kittaning most suitable place for
a new Town, --.-.. 677
13, Deposition of William Wilson, a Trader, taken
by one of Connolly's parties, ... (577
19, Letter from John Connolly to Arthur St. Clair,
1774.
Complains of the depredations of the Indians.
Will no longer be a dupe to their amicable pro-
fessions, but will pursue every measure to offend
them, 678
July Letter from Arthur St. Clair to John Connolly.
22, Ample reparation ought to be made to the In-
dians, and an honest intercourse established
with them ; this would be a more cheap and
easy manner of re-establishing peace than any
offensive operations whatever, - . . 078
26, Letter from Arthur St. Clair to Governour Penn.
Further account of Indian affairs. No pros-
pect of accommodation between the Shawa-
nese and the Virginians, . . - . 679
24, Deposition of David Griffey. Indians near
Hanna's Town, 680
23, Speech of the Delawares to Mr. Croghan, - 680
Intelligence from Captain White Eyes, - - 681
Address from Mr. Croghan to Captain White
Eyes, 681
Answer of Captain White Eyes to Col. Croghan, 68 1
25, Letter from iEneas Mackay to Arthur St. Clair, 682
Aug.%, Letter from Arthur St. Clair to Governour Penn.
Favourable accounts from the Indian Nations
about the Lakes. Most of them disposed to
continue in friendship with the English, - 682
25, Letter from Arthur St. Clair to Governour Penn.
It is impossible to tell what will be the conse-
quence of the Virginia operations. Lord Dun-
more must soon see the necessity of a peace.
Goods seized by Connolly's orders, and per-
sons confined in the common Guard-House, 683
27, Letter from Arthur St. Clair to Governour Penn.
Mr. Butler was not only made a prisoner, but
treated with insult and abuse. I'his has been
done by Mr. Campbell, Connolly having gone
to meet Lord Dunmore, - - - - 685
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
Aug. Address to the People of Virginia. Urged to
4, unite their utmost endeavours, by all means in
their power, to prevent the ruin they are threat-
ened with, ...... 685
I, Convention of Delegates from the different Coun-
ties in the Colony and Dominion of Virginia,
begun at Williamsburg, on the 1st day of Au-
gust, and continued, by adjournments, to the
6th, 686-690
After the first day of November, will import no
Goods, Wares, or Merchandise, from Great
Britain, nor British Manufactures from any
other place; nor purchase any that may be
imported, ...... 637
Will neither import any Slave, nor purchase any
that may be imported after the 1st November 687
No Tea to be imported hereafter ; and that which
is on hand, not permitted to be used, - - 687
No Tobacco to be exported after the 10th of
August next, unless American Grievances are
sooner redressed ; and the Inhabitants of the
Colony advised to refrain from the cultivation
of it, 687
The breed of Sheep to be improved, and their
number increased, to the utmost extent, - 687
Merchants are not to take advantage of the scarci-
ty of Goods, but to sell at the present prices, 688
No Merchant or Trader to be dealt with, after
the first of November ne.xt, who will not sign
this Association, - - - . . 688
If any person shall, after the 10th of August
next, export Tobacco, contrary to this Asso-
ciation, he shall be considered an approver of
American Grievances, .... 688
All alterations of these Resolutions that may be
made by the General Congress, with the con-
sent of the Delegates for Virginia, shall be
binding upon the Colony, ... 688
The Inhabitants of the Colony requested to make
liberal Contributions for the relief of the dis-
tressed in Boston, ..... 688
Instructions for the Deputies appointed to meet in
General Congress on the part of the Colony of
Virginia, ...... 689
A Summary View of the Rights of British Ame-
rica, set forth in some Resolutions intended for
the inspection of the present Delegates of the
People of Virginia, now in Convention, - 690
1774.
Aug.
5.
9.
9.
10,
CONTENTS.
m>
10,
10,
10,
10,
11,
12,
12,
13,
13,
13,
14,
14,
16,
Proclamation by Governour Sir James Wright,
doclaring the Meeting of the Inhabitants of
Georgia, proposed to be held at Savannah, on
the lOlh inst, under the pretence of consulting
together for redress of grievances, or imaginary
grie^-anccs, unconstitutional, illegal, and pun-
ishable by law,
Letter from the New- York Committee to the
Boston Committee of Correspondence,
Letter from the New- York Conunittee to several
Counties of the Province, - - - -
Resolutions enterwl into at Savannah, in Georgia,
at a General Meeting of the Inhabitants of the
Province, assinibled to consider the state of the
Colonies in America, . . . -
His Majesty's Subjects in America owe the same
allegiance, and are entitled to the same rights,
with their ft^Uow-subjects in Great Britain, -
As protection and allegiance are reciprocal, the
Americans have an indisputable right to peti-
tion the Throne on every emergency.
The Boston Port Act is unconstitutional.
The Act for abolishing the Charter of Massachu-
setts Bay, is subversive of American Rights,
The British Parliament has not the right to Tax
his Majesty's American Subjects,
It is contrary to the Law of the Land to take any
person to Great Britain, to be tried for an of-
fence committfxl in any of the Colonies,
Will concur with the other Colonies in every
constitutional measure to obtain a redress of
Grievances, ...---
Committee of Correspondence appointed.
Letter from London to a Gentleman in Boston.
The Ministry, by their emissaries, will try to
bring about disunion when the Congress meets.
It is not prudent to rely on any support in
England ; the Colonies must depend on their
o\\n» unanimity and steadiness. Massachusetts
should not enter into any violent measures
without concert with other Colonies, particu-
larly Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas,
Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of
Poughkeepsie Precinct, in Dutchess County,
New- York. Refijse to comply with the re-
quest of the New- York Committee of Corres-
pondence, to elect Delegates, . . -
Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the
Township of Rye, in West-Chester Comity,
New- York,
Meeting of the Committee of Charles County,
Maryland. Tea shipped in the Mary and Jane,
Captain George Chapman, now lying in St.
Mary's River, to be returned to London,
Meeting of the Committee for Frederick County,
in Maryland. Resolutions in relation to the
Tea stripped in the Mary and Jane,
Town Meeting at Providence, in Rhode-Island.
Instructions to the Deputies from the Town in
the General Assembly, ....
Comicil of North Carolina. Address of Govern-
our Martin. Considers it his duty to advise
with the Coimcil on the measures to be taken
to prevent the assembhesof the People,
Proclamation of Governour Martin. Requires
all persons, as far as in them lies, to prevent the
meeting of certain Deputies, appointed to be
held at Newbern, on the '25th, ...
Letter from Colonel William Preston, atFincastle,
in Virginia. Incursions of the Indians. A
number of the Inhabitants on the Frontiers
killed,
Letter from Governour Sir James Wright to the
Earl of Dartmouth. Two meetings of the Li-
berty Folks have been held in Savannah. Ho
will transmit all the particulars,
Letti'r from a Gentleman, in London, to his Cor-
respondent in Williamsburg. Policy of the
Ministry to attack one Colony at a time. Ame-
rica has no friends in Great Britain. Nothing
but an Association strictly observed and enfor-
ced, to stop Exports and Imports, will procure
a repeal of the Acts, - . . - .
John Hancock, Colonel of the Company of Cadets,
having been dismissed by Governour Gage,
tlie Company agreed to return their Standard
to the Governour and disband themselves,
Letter from Silas Deane to Governour Trumbull,
699
323
323
700
701
702
703
- 703
704
705
705
70G
707
708
1774.
Aug.
14,
18,
15,
Oct.
13.
Nov. 3,
Oct. 1,
700
Nor.
29,
Dec. 6
700
700
Aug.
17,
700
700
18,
700
18,
701
701
20,
20,
708
709
710
20,
20,
22,
22,
23,
23,
25,
24,
- 711
712
713
714
714
715
715
716
716
717
- 718
722
724
. 724
The Rev. Samuel Peters of Hebron, Connecticut.
Account of an attack on him by the Sons of
Liberty, .....
Statement of Mr. Peters's affair, by the Bolton
Committee, ......
Resolves drawn up by Mr. Peters,
Mr. Peters's Declaration, . . . -
Letter from Thaddeus Burr, in Boston, to Govern-
our Trumbull, .....
Further account of Mr. Peters, " ." '
Letter from the Reverend Samuel Peters, in Bos-
ton, to his mother, in Hebron, " ." "
Letter from the Reverend Samuel Peters, in Bos-
ton, to the Reverend Doctor Auclimuty, at
New- York,
Saul Aylford and others, to Governour Trumbull,
on Mr. Peters's affair, ....
Hezekiah Huntington and others, to Governour
Trumbull, on Mr. Peters's affair,
Address to the People of Pennsylvania. The
opposition in the Colonies to the measures of
Parliament condemned. The principal diffi-
culties have been caused by the influence of the
Smuggling interest in the Colonies,
Letter from a Gentleman, at Red Stone, to Wil-
liamsburg. Wagatomica and five other Shaw-
anese Towns on the Muskingum, destroyed in
July, by four hundred Virginia Troops, under
the command of Major M'Donald,
Courts at Great Barrington prevented from pro-
ceeding with business, . . . -
Letter from Matthew Griswold to Governour
Trumbull. Account of an attack on Mr. In-
gersoU, of Great Barrington,
Letter from Josiah Quincy, Jun., to John Dick-
inson. Defends Massachusetts on the charge
of breaking the line of opposition. At the re-
quest of many warm friends to the country, he
will soon embark for England, in the hope that
he may do some good the ensuing Winter, at
the Court of Great Britain, ...
Letter from John Dickinson to Arthur Lee. The
Colonists now know what is designed against
them. All classes arc united in sentiment. The
People in general look forward to extremes
with resolution, . . - . -
Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the
Borough Town of West-Chester, in New.
York, - - - - - - -
Meeting of the Inhabitants of Norfolk, Virginia,
on information received that nine chests of Tea
were imported in the Mary and Jane,
Letter from the Committee of Correspondence of
Boston, to the Committee for New- Jersey,
Address to the inhabitants of New-Jersey. This
Country was settled for the sole purpose of
Trade ; and an absolute submission to the Laws
of the Mother Country was one of the terms
under which our forefathers settled. Under
these terms they lived and prospered; and we
have grown rich and lived happily. Should
the Congress listen to the folly of the times,
and think the Colonies were not planted nor
protected for the extension of Commerce, but
for a new Empire, then will our Country be-
come a scene of blood and distraction; we can
have no recourse but in Arms, ...
Proclamation of Governour Gage, to prohibit all
persons from attending a Town Meeting at
Salem, on the 2.5th,
Town Melting at Salem. Governour Gage or-
ders the Meeting to be dispersed, and brings
Troops to the Town. Members of the Com-
mittee of Correspondence arrested, for calling
the Meeting without the permission of the Gov-
ernour, .
Letter from Governour Sir James Wright to the
Earl of Dartmouth. Every thing was done
that could be thought of to frustrate the at.
tempt of the Liberty People in Georgia, but
could not totally prevent it. If the meetings
are suffered, there will be nothing but cabals
and combinations in the Province. The Ex-
ecutive power is too weak to rectify such
abuses. Prosecutions would only be laughed
at. No Grand Jury would find a Bill of In.
dictment ; and persons attempting it would,
probably, be insulted and abused, - .731
725
726
726
727
728
728
729
7,30
Lxr
1774.
Aug.
25,
24,
25,
CONTENTS.
24,
25,
26,
Abijah Willard, one of the Mandamus Counsel-
lors for Massachusetts, compelled to resign, - 731
List of the Mandamus Counsellors appointed by
the King, (Note,) - - - - - 731
Letter from Taunton, in Massachusetts. Daniel
Leonard, a Mandamus Counsellor, fled to
avoid the friendly cautions of his incensed
neighbours, ...... 732
Letter from Taunton, in Massachusetts. Two or
three thousand person* will be assemblixl to-
morrow to request Colonel Gilbert not to ac-
cept the office of High Sheriff, under the new
Act ; and to desire Brigadier Ruggles, a Man-
damus Counsellor, to quit the Coimty imme-
diately. It is more dangerous being a Tory
here than in Boston, - - - - 732
Proceedings of the first Provincial Convention of
North Carolina, held at Newbern, - 733-737
List of the Delegates to the Convention, - 733
Letters from the Committees in the other Colo-
nies, with the Answers, presented by Mr.
Hewes, and considered by the Convention, - 733
Three Delegates to General Congress to be ap-
pointed, ------- 733
Allegiance is due to the King of Great Britain,
as the rightful Sovereign of this Province, - 734
We claim no more than the rights of English-
men, and it is our duty to maintain those
rights, 734
To be taxed without our own consent, is a gross
violation of the Grand Charter of our Liber-
ties, 734
As the British Subjects in North America cannot
be represented in Parliament, any Act of Par-
liament to Tax them is illegal, - - - 734
Duties imposed by Act of Parliament for raising
a Revenue, illegal and oppressive, - - 734
The cause in which the Inhabitants of Massa-
chusetts now suffer, is the cause of every honest
American, -...-- 734
The Boston Port Act is a cruel infringement of
the rights and privileges of the People of Bos-
ton, 734
The Act of Parliament for regulating the Police
of Massachusetts, is an infringement of the
Charter of that Province, . - . 735
Trial by Juries of the vicinity, is the only lawful
Inquest that can pass upon the life of a British
Subject, 735
No British or East India Goods permitted to be
imported after the first of January, 1775. No
Slaves to be imported after the first of Novem-
ber next ; and no East India Tea to be used
after the 10th of September next, - - 735
No Tobacco, Pitch, Tar, Turpentine, or any
other article, to be exported to Great Britain,
after the first of October, 1775, unless Ameri-
can Grievances are redressed before that time, 735
Venders of Merchandise are not to raise the
prices of their Goods in consequence of their
Resolves for Non-Importation, - - . 735
The People of North Carolina will break off all
Trade with any Colony on the Continent,
which shall refuse to adopt and carry into ex-
ecution such general plan as may be agreed
to in the Continental Congress, - - -,. 735
Deputies to the Congress appointed, - - 735
The attempts made by the Minister upon the
Town of Boston, a prelude to a general attack
upon the rights of the other Colonies, - 736
Committees to be appointed in the several Coun-
ties, to see that the Resolutions of this Conven-
tion are properly observed, - - - 73(3
Instructions to the Deputies appointed to meet in
General Congress on the part of North Caro-
lina, 736
Proceedings signed by the Members of the Con-
vention, 737
E.tpressat Williamsburg, from Pittsylvania Coun-
ty. Lidian Intelligence. Lord Dunmore, with
fifteen himdr(;d Men ; and Colonel Lewis and
Colonel Preston, with twelve hundred, against
the Indians, 737
Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Govemour
Penn. Directs him to desist from extending
the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania up to the new
Maryland line, during the minority of the Heir
of Lord Baltimore, , - - . . 733
1774.
May
16,
21.
Sept.
26,
Aug.
26,
27,
27,
27,
29,
29,
27,
29,
30,
31,
30,
30,
30,
30,
31,
LXII
Letter from Govemour Penn to Governour Eden.
Mr. Harford's Guardians have refused to give
any instructions on the subject of the Boundary
run and marked by the Commissioners; he
will, therefore, issue a Proclamation himself,
extending the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania, - 738
Letter from Governour Eden to Governour Penn.
The Guardians of the Proprietor of Maryland
having declined signing the Return of the
Commissioners, can do nothing in relation to it, 738
Letter from Governour Penn to Richard Lee.
Has made official notification of the lines run
by Mason and Dixon: and the jurisdiction of
Pennsylvania will be extended to those lines, 739
Letter from General Brattle, at Cambridge, to
General Giage. Military preparations in the
Province. Minute Companies. Medford Pow-
der removed from the Arsenal, - . - 739
Letter from Colonel Adam Stephen to Richard
Henry Lee. Ordered to the Ohio, by Lord
Dunmore, which prevents his attending the
General Congress. Procuring a supply of
Arms and Ammunition of the utmost impor-
tance.— This should be privately considered
by the Congress, 739
Resolutions adopted by the Inhabitants of Pala-
tine District, Tryon County, New- York, - 740
Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of
Dartmouth. The whole Province in commo-
tion ; popular fury never greater than at pre-
sent. In Worcester they keep no terms, and
openly threaten resistance, - - - 741
An account of the manner in which the Donations
for the support of the Poor of Boston has been
applitd, --..--. 743
Letter from Boston. The new Counsellors
driven into Boston. The Judges at Great
Barrington turned off the Bench. The Pro-
testers and Addressers to Mr. Hutchinson have
fled to Boston for refuge. The Province will
soon be declared in open rebellion, and the
King's Standard hoisted, - - - . 744
Timothy Paine, a Mandamus Counsellor, com-
pelled to resign, 745
Letter from Governour Wentworth to the Earl
of Dartmouth. Delegates to the Congress,
from New- Hampshire, elected. State of affairs
in the Province, 745
Town Meeting at Providence, in Rhode-Islandl
Arms for the County to be made fit for use.
Providence ought not to become an asylum for
persons who have made themselves obnoxious
to the people in any other part of America. —
The Town Council requested to remove and
eject all such persons, . - - - 745
Town Meeting at Providence, in Rhode- Island.
Magistrates required to preserve the Peace of
the Town, 747
County Court, at Springfield, sign an engagement
not to do any thing whatsoever, under any au-
thority, derived or pretended, by the Act of Par-
liament, for the better regulating the Govern-
ment of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, 747
On the meeting of the Superiour Court at Bos-
ton, Chief Justice Peter Oliver on the Bench,
the Jurors refuse to be sworn, - - - 747
Reasons of the Grand Jurors for refusing to be
sworn, ...-.-. 748
Reasons of the Petit Jurors for refusing to be
sworn, ..-.-.. 749
Meeting of the Committees from every Town and
District, in the County of Middlesex, and Prov-
ince of Massachusetts Bay, - - - 750
Committee appointed to consider the Act for the
better regulating the Government of the Prov-
ince of Massachusetts Bay, ... 7.50
Report of the Committee, - - . - 750
Adopted by the Meeting, - - . - 752
Towns in the County recommended to elect Dele-
gates to a Provincial Congress, to meet at Con-
cord, on the second Tuesday in October, - 752
Address to the Inhabitants of Pennsylvania. —
Petitions and Remonstrances to the King and
Parliament will have no effect. We should
not implore, but demand our liberty, - - 754
Address to the Delegates appointed to meet in
the General Congress, - - . . 754
Queries proposed to the People of America, - 755
liXin
1774.
Sept.
1,
CONTENTS.
LXIV
1,
2,
2,
7,
2,
5,
759
761
762
763
763
764
764
S.
Address to the People of America. Considera-
tions on — 1st, A Petition to Parliament, with
a firm declaration of the rights of Americans.
2d, A suspension of Trade with Great Britain,
till the Acts be repealed. 3d, A suspension of
all our Trade with Great Britain, Ireland, and
the West Indiis, till the Acts be repealed, ^ - 756
Letter from a Virginian to the Members of Con-
gress at Philadelphia. The Colonics have
advanced from one extravagant claim to ano-
ther. Their most zealous advocates are asham-
ed to plead a cause which all others condemn.
Parliament has a right to Tax the Colonies,
and cannot depend upon the uncertain mode of
Requisition, ------
Letter from Governour Martin to the Earl of
Dartmouth. The People of North Carolina
have followed the rest of the Continent in ca-
balling and forming Resolutions upon the late
measures of Government Docs not know
what the Committees have done, but whatever
measures may have been taken, the combina-
tion is assuredly, at least, indecent and inglo-
rious, - - - - " " . "
Powder taken from the Charlestown Magazine,
by order of General Gage, . . -
Judge Danforth and Judge Lee, Mandamijs
Counsellors, compelled to resign.
Colonel Phips, the High Sheriff of the County,
gives a pledge not to execute any precept un-
der the new Acts of Parliament for altering
the Constitution of Massachusetts Bay,
Lieutenant Governour, Thomas Oliver, compel-
led to resign his seat as a Mandamus Counsel-
lor,
Mr. Oliver's statement of the circumstances un-
der which he resigned, - - - -
Letter from St. John's Parish, in Georgia. Ac-
count of the Meeting at Savannah, on the 10th
of August. Contributions from St. John's
Parish for the Sufferers at Boston, - - 766
Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. State of the Colonies much changed
since Mr. Hutchinson left America. Several
of the Counsellors have been obliged to seek
protection under the Troops in Boston. Some
have been maltreated; many have resigned.
He intended to send Troops to Worcester, to
protect the Superiour Court and the Coun-
sellors, but ascertained that no Court could
proceed on business there. In Boston the
Judges met, but could get no Juries. The
Counsellors were afraid to proceed to Salem ;
he was, therefore, compelled to assemble them
in Boston. Proposes to send to New- York,
Philadelphia, and Quebeck, for the Troops
there. Civil Government is near its end. —
He will avoid any bloody crisis as long as
possible, ------ 767
Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of Dart
mouth, 769
Letter from a Member of Parliament to Colonel
Charles Lee, .--... 769
Letter from a Gentleman, in London, to his Cor-
resjwndent in New- York. Disputes of the
New- York Committee published in all the
London papers, and have been disadvantageous
to tlie cause of the Colonies. The Ministry
are waiting anxiously to hear the result of the
Congress; they still expect the Colonies will
beg for mercy, 771
Letter from London to a Corrospondcnt in Bos-
ton. The measures of the Colonies should be
calm and temperate. None of their Resolves
should contain reflections on Great Britain. —
The East India Company should be indemni-
fied by the Bostonians, and submission made
for tlie insult offiTcd to Govemmrnt, - - 772
Letter from Governour Penn to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. The Congress met this morning.
The detcnnination to oppose the Boston Acts,
and the power of Parliament to Tax America,
universal throughout the Colonies ; there is,
however, great diversity of opinions as to the
proper modes of opposition, - . . 773
Rpport of an attack on Boston, by the Men-of-
War and Troops, on the 2d, received in New-
York by express, 325
1774.
Sept.
7,
8,
8,
5,
C,
9,
10,
10,
9,
15,
10,
11,
7,
12,
13,
Letter from Georgia to a Gentleman in New-
York. Those in favour of an immediate Non-
Importation Agreement there, are far in the
minority. As the Colony is situated, it would
be highly ungenerous for Georgia to meddle
with the disputes in which the rest of the Col-
onies are engaged, ----- 773
Letter from Lieutenant Governour Colden to the
Earl of Dartmouth. The populace are now
directed by men ofoproperty, and the former
demagogues have lost their influence. Men
now speak in favour of Government with
greater freedom than for years past, - - 773
Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Govern-
our Penn. The appointment of Deputies, by
the different Colonies, to meet in General Con-
gress, has given the King great concern. An
humble representation to the King from each
Colony would have greater weight than one
from the Congress, 774
Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Earl
of Dunmore. E.xpresses the King-'s dissatis-
faction at the ill treatment of the Indians on
the Ohio by the People of Virginia, and of the
proceedings of Connolly, under a commission
from the Government of Virginia, - - 774
The County Courts, in Virginia, will do no
business previous to a Session of the General
Assembly. At the next General Court there
will be no Trials, except in Criminal Cases, - 775
The Selectmen of Boston inform General Gage
of the alarm of the People at his preparing to
erect a Fortification on the Neck, - - 775
Address of the Selectmen of Boston to General
Gage, on his fortifying the entrance to the
Town, and the abuse and assaulting of the Peo-
ple passing in and out of the Town, by the
Guards, ------- 775
Answer of the Governour, - - - . 775
Resolutions adopted at a Meeting of the Dele-
gates of every Town and District in the
County of Suffolk, in Massachusetts, - - 776
Committee appointed by the Delegates in Suffolk
County, to wait on Governour Gage, and in-
form him of the alarm of the People at the
Fortifications making on Boston Neck, - 779
Address of the Committee to Governour Gage, 779
Answer of the Governour to the Committee, - 779
The Answer of the Governour not satisfactory.
Another Address unanimously voted to his Ex-
cellency, ...--. 780
The Governour declined receiving the second
Address, 781
Thanks to the Merchants of New- York for re-
refusing to let their Vessels transport Troops
and Ammunition to Boston, - . - 782
Thanks to Mechanicks of New- York, for refus-
ing to make Chests for transportation of Arms,
or to contract for building Barracks at Boston, 782
Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Lieutenant
Governour Colden. The Contraband Trade
between New- York and Holland deserves his
particular attention. The number of Vessels
from Holland for that Province is evidence of
the extent of that illicit Commerce; which is
now particularly alarming, in consequence of
the large quantities of Gunpowder shipped
there for New- York, . . - - 782
Letter from Israel Putnam to Captain Trumbull.
Tea arrivetl at Salem, ... - 783
Letter from William Cooper to Israel Putnam,
Chairman of the Committee of Correspondence
for Brooklyn, in Connecticut, - - - 783
Letter from William Cooper, in Boston, to a
Gentleman in New- York. Explaining the
manner in which the Donations made for the
Poor of Boston are applied, . . - 784
Committee appointed by the Town of Boston to
receive the Etenations and employ the Poor
Sufferers by the Port Bill, - - - 785
Letter from Governour Wentworth to the Earl
of Dartmouth. Proceedings at Portsmouth,
in New-Hampshire on the arrival of thirty
chests of Tea there, on the 8th inst. Vessel
sailed with the Tea for Halifax, on the 1 1th.
I'hough this Province has so far been moderate,
yet the union of the Colonies, in sentiment, is
not divided or lost in New-Hampshire, - 736
LXV
1774.
Sept.
14,
14,
CONTENTS.
LXVI
15,
15,
15,
17,
17,
17,
19,
19,
Sept.
19,
20,
21,
26.
28,
29,
Sept.
20.
21.
21,
21.
Letter from Fredericksburg, in Virginia. Fur-
ther Indian Intelligence. Liberal contribu-
tions made in Fredericksburg, for relief of the
Poor in Boston, . - . - .
Letter from Joseph Spencer to Grovernour Trum-
bull. Doctor Beebe, a Tory, tarred and
feathered by the friends of Liberty, in East
Haddam, has applied to him for a surety of the
peace against some of those concerned in it. —
He has declined, and asks the Governour's ad-
vice on the subject. He believes if one should
be granted it would not be executed to advan
tage,
An Army of Observation for the Colonies pro-
posed in Connecticut, . . . .
Resolutions adopted at a Meeting of Delegates
from the Towns in the Counties of Hartford,
New- London, and Windham, and a part of the
County of Litchfield, in Connecticut,
Proclamation of Governour Penn, establishing
the Lines of Jurisdiction between the Prov-
ince of Maryland and the Province of Peim-
sylvania, and Counties of NeAV-Castle, Kent,
and Sussex, on Delaware, ...
Proclamation of Lord Dunmore, requiring all his
Majesty's Subjects, west of Laurel Hill, to pay
entire obedience to the Laws of Virginia, and
forbidding the exercise of any authority there,
by the Province of Pennsylvania,
General Carleton arrived at Q.uebeck,
Address of the Clergy to Guy Carleton, Govern-
our of Gluebeck, .....
Address of his Majesty's Subjects, in the City of
Quebeck, to Governour Carleton,
Letter from Caesar Rodney to Captain Thomas
Rodney. Action of the Congress on the Re-
solves of Suffolk County, Massachusetts,
Letter from Samuel Adams to Dr. Chauncy.
The Suffolk County Resolves read in Con-
gress with great applause. America will sus-
tain Boston to the utmost, ...
Letter from Caesar Rodney to Captain Thomas
Rodney. On the late false report of the attack
upon the Town of Boston, by the British Ships
in the Harbour, fifty thousand Men, from Con-
necticut and Massachusetts, well armed, were
on the march for the relief of the Town,
PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLY.
The Assembly met, pursuant to their adjourn-
ment, on the 23d of July, ....
Letter from Dr. Franklin, dated London, May 7,
laid before the House, ....
Governour has no business to lay before the House,
Message from the Governour. The Indian Dis-
turbances not yet at an end. The Governour
of Virginia is still prosecuting an Expedition
against the Shawanese. The Troops on the
Frontiers should be continued in pay.
One hundred Rangers to be kept in pay until the
14th of October, .....
The Treasurer ordered to pay the Overseers of
the Poor of Philadelphia, one hundred Pounds
for tlie support of the French Neutrals,
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. The Country People are exercising
in Arms, in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and
Rhode- Island, and threaten to attack the
Troops in Boston, to which place the friends
of Government are daily resorting for proteo
tion. The Commissioners of the Customs
afraid to remain in Salem, have come to Bos-
ton, where the Governour is also obliged to
reside, .---...
Resolutions adopted at a Convention of Commit-
tees for the County of Worcester, Massachu-
setts, held by adjournment on the 29th of Au-
gust, and continued, by adjournments, to the
ii 1st of September, ....
Meeting of Freeholders in Boston. Instructions
to Delegates in Provincial Congress,
Convention of the several Towns of the County
of Cumberland, in Massachusetts,
Sheriff of the County required to attend the Con-
vention, --..---
787
- 787
787
1774.
Sept.
21.
788
789
790
791
791
792
792
793
793
794
794
794
794
794
795
795
- 795
798
798
799
He subscribes a Declaration that he has not acted
under the late Acts of Parliament ; and that ^
he will not, without the general consent of the
County, 799
Committee appointed to draw up the sentiments
of the Convention, - . . . . 799
22, Report presented by the Committee, and unani-
mously accepted, - - . . 799-802
24, Meeting of the Selectmen and Committee of Cor-
respondence of Boston. Consider it inexpe-
dient for the Mechanicks, or other Inhabitants
of the Town, to assist the Troops, by furnish-
ing them with Artificers, Labourers, or mate-
rials of any kind to build Barracks, - - 802
24, Letter from J. Warren to the Publick, with an
E.xtract of a Letter from Samuel Adams, dated
September 9th. Gentlemen of the establish-
ed Church of England, among the most reso-
lute defenders of the rights of the People of the
Continent, 802
24, Declaration of Freeholders and Inhabitants of the
To^\Ti of Rye, in West- Chester County, New-
York. They have not been concerned in any
Resolutions entered into in regard to the dis-
putes with the Mother Country. Disapprove of
the hot and furious proceedings, in consequence
of the disputes, and declare they will live and
die peaceable Subjects of George the Third, 803
Apology of Abraham Miller and others, for sign-
ing the above Declaration, ... 803
Apology of Timothy Wetmore, another sub-
scriber, (Note,) 803
Letter from the Committee of Mechanicks of Bos-
ton, dated September 8th, to the Committee of
Mechanicks of New- York, - - - 803
24, Resolutions of the Committee of Mechanicks of
New- York, on receiving the foregoing Letter, 804
25, Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. The Carpenters in New- York refuse
to come to Boston to build the Barracks, but
the Boston Artificers have undertaken the
work. Nothing but e.xtravagances and milita-
ry preparations heard of from Boston to New-
York. The support Massachusetts receives
from the other Colonies, is beyond conception.
The disease is now so universal that there is
no knowing where to apply a remedy, - 805
26, Accoimt of the transactions at a Meeting of the
Freeholders of the County of Middlesex, in
England, 805
Engagement signed by John Wilkes and John
Glynn, at tlie Middlesex Meeting, - - 806
26, Inhabitants of Worcester, in MassachuseUs, from
the age of sixteen to seventy, form themselves
into Military Companies, and choose Officers, 806
27 Application of Doctor Warren to General GSage,
for information as to his intentions in erecting
Fortifications and purchasing Military Stores, 806
Answer of General Gage to Doctor Warren, - 806
27, Meeting of the Committees of Boston and the
neighbouring Towns. Resolve that any person
who may supply the Troops at Boston with
any thing for the annoyance of the Inhabitants,
shall be deemed an inveterate enemy of the
People, 807
27, Letter from the Joint Committees of Boston and
the neighbouring Towns, to every Town and
District in the Province, .... 807
28, Letter from Colonel William Preston, at Fincas-
tle, in Virginia. March of Virginia TrOops
to meet Lord Dunmore at the Great Kenhawa. ;
Attacks of the Lidians on the White settle-
ments, ....... 808
28, Letter from Maryland to a Gentleman in Lon-
don, 809
28, Handbill published at New- York. Supply of
the British Troops, 809 ;|i
28, Proclamation by Governour Gage. In conse-
quence of the disordered state of the Province,
will not meet the General Court at Salem, on
the 5th of October, and discharges all persons
elected as Representatives from giving their
attendance, ..-.-- 809
29, Letter from the Committee of Correspondence of
Boston, to the Continental Congress. Account
of the attack upon the House of Joseph Sco«,
upon the discovery of his selling Cannon to
General Gage, 810
FocBTH Series.
LXVII
1774.
Sept.
29,
Oct 1,
1,
3,
CONTENTS.
l.SVIIl
3,
3.
5,
6,
7,
7,
8.
8,
Meeting of the Inhabitants of New- York, con-
vent by the Committee, at the request of Jo-
seph Totten, - - - " , " „ "
Proclamation by the King, for dissolving the Par-
liament, and calling another, " '. '
(Considerations on the propriety of adopting a
general Non-RemitUince, as one of tli<> means
of obtaining a repeal of the Boston Bills,
Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. The other Colonics have espoused the
cause of Massachusetts with great viohnce,
though some arc more moderate than others.
The Congress is still sitting, but much good is
not to be expected from their deliberations.
The Boston Artificers have refused to work on
the Barracks. A Provincial Congress will
soon meet, when it is supposed measures will
be taken for the government of the Province,
Letter from Governour Penn to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. The Congress is siuing, but as they
have agreed to keep their Proceedings secret,
he can furnish no account but what is found in
the Newspapers, ....
Letter from London to a Gentleman in New-
York. The opinions of the People have be-
come more favourable to tlie Americans. As
the issue of the Congress would probably re-
quire \'igorous measures, the Parliament has
been dissolved, and a new one ordered.
Proceedings at a Meeting of the Livery of Lon-
don, at Guildhall. The Candidates pledged,
if elected to Parliament, to endeavour to pro-
cure a repeal of the American Acts,
Letter from Lieutenant Governour Colden to the
Earl of Dartmouth. Several of the Counties
in the Province refused to unite with the New-
York Committee in sending Delegates to the
Congress. Almost the whole of the Inhabitants
of the Counties wish for moderate measures.
At a meeting held last week the conduct of
the persons who attempted to prevent the Mer-
chants from sending Supplies to Boston, was
highly disapproved, . - - - -
Handbill received at New- York from Boston,
Memorandums for a Report, on providing perma-
nent Barracks for the Troops at Boston,
Address to the Inhabitants of New- York,
Meeting of Importers of Goods from Great Bri-
tain, in the City of New- York,
Meeting of the Lihabitants of the Town of Stam-
ford, in Connecticut, - - i -
Letter from London. Reasons why the Ameri-
cans should persevere, and oppose with vigor-
ous measures the Tyranny of the British Go-
vernment, ......
Letter from James Lovell to Josiah Cluincy, Jim.,
PttOVINCIAL CONGRESS OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Oct. 5, Members elected to serve in the General Assem-
bly of Massachusetts, meet at Salem,
7, Their Resolutions on the refusal of the Govern-
our to admit them to the usual oaths.
Provincial Congress formed, ...
Names of the Delegates from the several Towns,
Adjourn to meet at Concord, ...
1 1, The Provincial Congress meets at Concord,
■■ John Hancock electwl President, and Benjamin
Lincohi Secretary,
12, Committee appointwi to take into consideration
the state of the Province,
13, Address to tho Governour reported by the Com.
mittee, read and accepted, with one dissenting
voice only, ......
Committee to present Address to the Governour,
1 4, Constables, Collectors of Taxes, Deputy Sheriffs,
and Sheriffs, directed not to pay over Money ;
but to retain it in their hands, subject to the
order of the Towns, Provincial Congress, or
General Assembly, .....
17, Answer of Governour Gage to the Address of
the Provincial Congress, - - * .
Referred to the Committee on the state of the
Province, .....
iietters said to be wTote by the Rev. Mr. Peters,
referred to the same Coinmittoe, ...
18, The Galleries ordered to be cleared, and the
doors of the House to be kept shut during the
IXbattg in tile Congrvss, . , . ,
327
810
811
814
- 815
1774.
Oct.
18,
19,
20,
21,
815
817
819
820
821
821
328
827
828
948
829
829
830
830
834
834
834
- 834
835
83G
836
837
- 837
837
22,
24,
25,
26,
27,
837
28.
838
838
838
838
838
- 839
A Reply to be made to the Answer of the Gov-
ernour, ....-•-
Reply to the Governour reported, read, and re-
committed; reported again, considered, and
laid on the table, - - - - -
Report from the Committee appointed to inquire
into the state and operations of the Army,
Committee to consider what is necessary for the
defence and safety of the Province,
Report relative to Pa\-ment and Collecting of out-
standing Rates and Taxes, ...
Resolution relative to the Counsellors and others,
who have acted in obedience to the late Act of
Parliament, for altering the Government of
Massachusetts Bay, ....
Committee to publish the names of the Mr.ndaraus
Counsellors and others, who have acted under
commissions derived from the Act of Parlia-
ment, ..-...- 839
Committee to report a Non-Consumption Agree-
ment relative to British and India Goods, - 839
Committee to examine Rivington's Newspaper, 840
Resolution adopted, recommending the total dis-
use of India Tea, - - - - - 840
Report of Committee, on Defence of the Province,
read, and deferred, 840
Consideration of the Report resumed, and recom-
mitted, - - 840
Consideration of the propriety of sending Agents
to Canada, referred to the next meeting of the
Congress, - 840
Day of Publick Thanksgiving throughout the
Province recommended, .... 840
Report on the Safety and Defence of the Province,
amended, and recommitted for further amend-
ment, - - - - - - -841
Committee to consider of the most proper time to
provide a stock of Powder, Ordnance, and Ord-
nance Stores for the Province, - - - 841
Committee on Non-Consumption Agreement di-
rected to report forthwith, - - - 841
Debates of the Congress to be kept secret, tmtil
leave shall be given to disclose the same, - 841
Committee report that now is the proper time to
provide a stock of Powder, Ordnance, and
Ordnance Stores, - - - - - 841
Committee to determine what Quantity shall be
provided, and an Estimate of the expense, - 841
Consideration of Report on the Safety and De-
fence of the Province resumed, and recommit-
ted for further amendments, - - - 84 1
Committee on Non-Consumption Agreement or-
dered to sit forthwith, .... 842
Committee to inquire into the state of the Stores
in the Commissary General's Office, - - 842
Report on the quantity of Powder and Ordnance
Stores necessary for the Province, - - 842
All matters which shall come under the consi-
deration of the Congress, to be kept secret, - 842
Report on the Safety and Defence of the Prov-
ince, 842
Report considered and adopted, ... 843
Committee to consider what Military Exercise
will be best for the People of the Province to
adopt, 845
Committee of Safety appointed, ... 845
Five Commissaries appointed, ... 845
Three General Officers appointed, - - 845
Committee, to sit during the recess of the Con-
gress, appointed, ..... 845
Receiver General to be appointed to.morrow ;
and Members particularly enjoined to attend, 845
Reply to the Governour's Answer recommitted
for amendments, . , , . . 845
Receiver General appointed, ... 846
Report of Coinraittee on the state of the Prov-
ince, relative to the removal of the Inhabitants
of the ToOTi of Boston from thence, read, and
recommitted, ...... 846
Report relative to Collecting and Paying out-
standing Tuxes, read, and adopted, - - 846
Committee to report a Resolve relative to a Non-
Consumption Agreement, ... 847.
Committee to report on an equal Representation
of the Province in Congress, at tlie next meet-
ing, 848
Constitutional Coimscllors invited to attend Con-
gress at the ne.\t meeting, , , . . 848
LXIX
1774.
Oct.
28.
CONTENTS.
liXX
29.
The Resolve for a Non-Consumption Agreement,
presented and adopted, . - . . 848
Report on the Warlike Stores in the Commissa-
ry General's Office, .... 848
Report on a System of Military Exercise for the
Province, ...... 848
Consideration of the state of the Executive Courts
of the Province, referred to the next meeting
of the Congress, . . . - - 849
Committee of Safety directed to write to the Con-
tinental Congress, showing the grounds and
reasons of the proceedings of this Congress, 849
Reply to the Governour's Answer agreed to,
unanimously, and a Committee appointed to
present it, ...-.- 849
Committee to publish certain parts of the Pro-
ceedings of the Congress, passed on the 26th
and 28th, ......
Two Members added to tlie Committee of Safety,
Adjourned to the 23d of November,
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
Oct. 9, Letter from Montreal, to a Gentleman in New-
York. Opinions of the Inhabitants of Canada
relative to the Quebeck Act, ...
General Meeting of the English Inhabitants of
Montreal,
10, Letter from Eliphalet Dyer, Roger Sherman,
and Silas Deane, to Governour Trumbull. —
Proceedings of the Congress, ...
1 1, Account of the arrest and imprisonment of Sam-
uel Dyre, of Boston, . . . -
12, Proclamation of Governour Penn. Inhabitants
and Magistrates of the country west of Lau-
rel Hill required to pay due obedience to the
Laws of Pennsylvania, without the least re-
gard to the Proclamation of Lord Dunmore,
12, General Committee of South Carolina recom-
mend the non-importation of India Tea, and
the non-exportation of any Arms or Ammu-
nition whatsoever, - - . . .
13, Letter from Sir James Wright to the Earl of
Dartmouth. Protests and Dissents of the
People in different parts of the Province, show
that they are against any Resolutions; and
that those attempted by a few in Savannah, are
held in contempt, .....
14, Address from the County of Worcester, in Mas-
sachusetts, to Governour Gage,
AnsTier of the Governour, ....
851
853
853
853
853
854
855
856
857
867
868
869
OrA.
13,
CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY.
Meeting of the General Assembly of the Eng-
lish Colony of Connecticut, . . .
To«Tis in the Colony ordered to provide double
the quantity of Powder, Balls, and Flints, they
were before obliged by Law to provide.
Cannon at New-London to be mounted, and kept
fit for service, with a proper supply of Pow-
der and Balls, ....
Fifteen thousand Pounds, in Bills of Credit, to
be bsued, ......
Ta.xes levied on the Polls and rateable Estates in
the Colony, ......
Instructions and Regulations to the Overseers ap-
pointed by the Assembly for the Mohegan In.
Qiaiis, .......
Memorial of Zebulon Butler and Joseph Sluman,
Agents for the Town of Westmoreland,
Memorial of Ebenezer Hazard, of New. York,
858
- 858
- 858
858
858
859
859
861
PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLY.
OcM4, New Assembly meets, .... 869
List of Members, 860
Edward Biddle chosen Speaker, ... 869
Approved by the Governour, ... 870
15, John Dickinson added to the Deputies from Penn-
sylvania to the General Congress, now sitting, 870
Entertainment to be provided for the Members of
the Congress, on Thursday next, - - 870
17, Message from the Governour. Recommends
keeping the Rangers a longer time in Service, 87 1
19, The Rangers to be kept in Pay until the first of
November, ...... 871
Answer to the Governour's Message, • .871
21, Adjourn to the 5th of December, ... 371
1774.
Oct.
14,
16,
16,
18,
17,
17,
19,
19,
20,
20,
20,
20,
20,
21,
22,
24,
24,
24,
25,
26,
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
Express from Lord Dunmore arrived at Wil-
liamsburg, with the Speeches at his Conference
with the Indians, .....
Speech of Captain White Eyes,
Answer of Lord Dunmore to the Delawares and
Six Nation Chiefs, .....
Intelligence from Captain Pipe, at a Conference
with several Delaware and Mohawk Chiefs, -
Speech of the Mohegans to the Shawanese,
Answer of the Shawanese, ....
Reply of the Mohawk and Delaware Chiefs to
Lord Dunmore, .....
Speech of the Big Apple Tree, a Mohawk Chief,
Answer of Lord Dunmore, ....
Reply of the Delawares, ....
Speech of Edmund Burke, on offering himself a
Candidate to represent the City of Bristol in
Parliament, ......
Letter from Dr. Samuel Cooper to John Adams,
Proclamation of Governour Penn. Officers of
the Customs prevented by a Mob from seizing
a quantity of foreign Sugar that had not been
entered at the Custom House, nor the Duties
paid. All Civil Officers required to bring the
Offenders to justice, .....
Letter from Captain Arthur St. Clair to Joseph
Shippen, Jun., ......
Speech from Captain Pipe to the Governour, in
answer to his Messages sent to the Shawanese
and the Delawares, ....
Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of
Dartmouth. Additional Troops expected from
Quebeck, New. York, and Newfoundland.
Despairs of any overtures for paying for the
Tea, unless recommended by the Continental
Congress, ......
Circular Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to
the Governours of the Colonies,
Order of the King, in Coimcil, prohibiting the
exportation of Gunpowder, or any sort of
Arms or Ammunition from Great Britain,
General Committee of South Carolina recom.
mend Merchants and others, as they prize the
tranquillity and happiness of America, not to
take advantage of the publick distresses by rais-
ing the prices of imported Goods,
Address to the People of Halifax County, in
Virginia, .....
Tea at Annapolis, in Maryland, imported in the
Brig Peggy Stewart, from London. Acknow-
ledgement of the Owners of the Tea, that they
had committed a Inost daring insult, and an
act of the most pernicious tendency to the Li-
berties of America ; they ask pardon of the
People, and voluntarily burn the Vessel with
all her Sails and Colours flying, -
Thanks to the Merchants of New- York, who
assisted in providing Barracks for the Troops
at Boston, ......
Address to the Inhabitants of New. York. Rea-
sons for their paying obedience to Great Bri-
tain, and the advantages they will derive from
submission, ......
Resolutions of sundry Inhabitants of Frances
Town, in New-Hampshire, ...
Letter from Silas Deane, at Philadelphia, to Go-
vernour Trumbull. The greatest unanimity
has prevailed through the whole of the Pro-
ceedings of the Congress, - - . .
Proclamation of Governour Wright. Grants of
Land in Georgia, .....
Proclamation of Governour Wright. Treaty
with the Creek Indians, at Savannah, on the
20th inst. Trade with the Indians renewed.
Letter from Quebeck to a Gentleman in Boston,
Instructions to the English Gentlemen of the
Committee of Montreal, from the Canadian
Farmers, - ' -
Association signed by the Ladies of Edenton, in
North Carolina,
Letter from Joseph Reed, at Philadelphia, to
Josiah Quincy, Jun., London. Instead of divi-
ded counsels and feeble measures in the Colo-
nies, all now is union and firmness. The Mem-
bers of the Congress part with each other on
terms of the utmost friendship,
871
872
872
874
874
874
875
875
875
876
876
878
878
879
- 879
880
881
- 881
- 882
885
886
886
888
888
889
1137
891
891
891
- 892
LXXI
1774.
Sept.
5.
CONTENTS. LXXii
12,
14,
17,
19,
22,
24,
26,
27,
28,
CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
Meeting of ihe Delegates chosen and appointed
by ihli several Colonies and Provinces, in North
America, to hold a Congress at Philadelphia,
Members present from the several Colonies,
Peyton Randolph elected President,
Credentials read and approved, . - -
For New-Hampshire, . . - -
Massachusetts,
Rhode-Island,
Connecticut,
New- York,
New-Jersey,
Permsylvauia, . - - - -
EKdaware, . . - - -
Maryland,
Virginia,
South Carolina, . . . -
Richard Henry Lee, from Virginia, attended, -
Rules of Order adopted, - - - -
Reverend Mr. Duchd requested to open the Con-
gress with Prayers, - - - - -
Thomas Jolmson, Jim., from Maryland attended.
Committee appointed to state the Rights of the
Colonies, the instances in which they are vio-
lated, and the means most proper to obtain a
restoration of them, - - - - -
Committee appointed to examine and report the
several Statutes which affect the Trade and
Manufactures of the Colonies, - - -
President authorized to adjourn, from day to day,
when there is no business, ...
Matthew Tilghman, a Delegate from Maryland,
attended, -------
William Hooper and Joseph Hewes, from North
Carolina, attended, - . - - -
Henry Wisner, from Orange County, in New-
York, attended, . . - - -
George Ross, from Pennsylvania, and John Al-
sop, from New- York, attended, -
Delegates from Massachusetts presented the Pro-
ceedings of the Joint Committees of the Towns
in the County of Middlesex, at Concord, on
the 30th and 3 1st of August, ...
Richard Caswell, from North Carolina, attended,
Resolutions of the County of Suffolk, Massachu-
setts, on the 6th inst, laid before the Congress,
Resolution of the Congress, approving of the
Suffolk County Resolutions, ...
Contributions from all the Colonies for supplying
the Sufferers in Boston, should be continued, -
Report of the Committee appointed to examine
the Statutes, brought inJand laid on the table.
Referred to the Conamittee appointed to state tlie
Rights of the Colonies, ....
Merchants and others in the several Colonies re-
quested not to send to Great Britain any orders
for Goods, . . - . -
Report of Committee on the Rights of the Colo-
nies, brought in and read, - . . .
Copy of the Report made out for each Colony, -
The Report considered, ....
Congress will now consider only such Rights as
have been infringed since 1763, postponing
the consideration of the General Rights of
America to a future day, ....
Conmjittee appointed to state the Rights, brought
in a Report of the Infringements and Viola-
tions of American Rights,
Consideration of the Report deferred,
Congress, in the meanwhile, to deliberate on the
Means to be pursued for a restoration of our
Rights,
John Herring, from Orange County, New- York,
attended, ......
Consideration of the Means for restoring Rights,
resiune'd, ......
Further considered, .....
Importation of all Goods, Wares, and Merchan-
dise, whatsoever, from Great Britain, or Ire-
land, prohibited after first of December next,
None exported from Great Britain, or Ireland,
after that day, shall be used or purchased in
the Colonies, ......
Resolution offered by Mr. Galloway, declaring
the Colonics hold in abhorrence the idea of
being considered Independent Communities, -
893
893
893
893
893
894
894
893
896
896
896
897
897
897
898
898
898
899
899
899
900
900
900
900
901
901
901
901
901
904
904
904
904
- 904
904
904
905
905
905
905
905
905
905
905
905
905
905
1774.
Sept.
28,
29,
80,
Oct.l,
3,
4,
5.
7,
8.
10.
Mr. Galloway's Plan for a proposed union be-
tween Great Britain and the Colonies, - 905
Meansof restoring the Rights, considered, - 906
Further considered, ..... 906
Further considered, ..... 906
Exportation of all Merchandise whatsoever, from
the Colonies to Great Britain, Ireland, and the
West Indies, prohibited after the 1st of Sep-
tember, 1775, unless American Grievances are
redressed before that time, ... 906
Committee to prepare a Plan to carry into effect
the Non- Importation, Non-Consumption, and
Non-Exportation resolved on, - - - 906
Simon Boerum, from King's County, New- York,
attended, ^06
Means of restoring the Rights, further considered, 906
Committee to prepare an Address to the King,
requesting a Redress of Grievances, - - 907
Instructions to the Committee on the Address, - 907
Matters proper to be contained in the Address
considered, ...--- 907
Further considered, 907
Further considered, - - - - - 907
Instruction to the Committee on the Address, - 907
Address from William Goddard received, - 907
Means for restoration of American Rights fur-
ther considered, 907
Letter from the Boston Committee of Correspond-
ence laid before Congress, ... 907
Letter to be considered to-morrow, - - 908
Consideration of means for restoration of Rights,
resumed, - - - - - -908
Instruction to Committee appointed to prepare the
form of an Association, .... 908
Letter from Boston Committee considered, - 908
Committee to prepare a Letter to General Gage, 908
Letter from Boston further considered, - - 908
Opposition of the Inhabitants of Massachusetts to
late Acts of Parliament approved by Congress.
If the Acts are attempted to be enforced by
Arms, all America ought to support them in
their opposition, - ... - 908
Letter from Boston further considered, . - 908
Removal of the People from Boston, so impor-
tant in its consequences as to require the utmost
deliberation. If absolutely necessary, they
should be recompensed by all America, - 90S
People of Massachusetts advised to submit to
a suspension of the administration of justice,
where it cannot be procured under the Charter, 909
Any Person who shall act under any authority
derived from the Act of Parliament, altering
the Government of Massachusetts, to be held
in detestation, as a wcked tool of the despo-
tism, which is preparing to destroy the Rights
of America, ...... 909
11, Letter from the Congress to General Gage, - 909
People of Boston advised to conduct themselves
peaceably towards General Gage and the
Troops, 909
Committee to prepare a Memorial to the People
of British America; and an Address to the
People of Great Britain, - - - - 910
12, Plan for carrying into effect the Non-Importa-
tion, Non-Consumption, and Non-Exportation
Agreement, reported by the Committee, - 910
Consideration of the Rights and Grievances of the
Colonies resumed, - - - - - 910
13, Further considered, 910
14, Further considered, - - - - -910
Resolutions declaring the Rights and Grievances
of the Colonies, 910
Letter from several Gentlemen, in Georgia, read, 912
15, Plan of Association further considered, - - 912
17, John Dickinson, from Pennsylvania, attended, 913
Plan of Association further considered, - - 913
1 8, Plan further considered, amended, and ordered to
be transcribed, to be signed by the Members, 913
Address to the People of Great Britain reported, 913
19, The Address considered, amended, and recom-
mitted, 913
Memorial to the Inhabitants of the Colonies re-
ported, 913
20, The Association read and signed, - - - 9 1 3
Fac simile of the Signatures to the Asssocia-
tion, - - . . . Opposite 916
Memorial to the Inhabitants of the Colonies fur-
ther considered, 916
LXXIII
1774.
Ckt.2l, Address to the People of Great Britain, - - 917
Memorial to the Inhabitants of the Colonics, - 921
Committee to prepare an Address to the People
of Q,uebeck, and Letters to the Colonies of St.
John's, Nova-Scotia, Georgia, and East and
West Florida, 928
Committee to revise the Minutes of Congress, 928
Address to the King considered, recommitted,
and Mr. Dickinson added to the Committee, 928
The seizing a Person, in America, to transport
him beyond the Sea, for Trial, declared to be
against the Lavsr, and ought to meet with re-
sistance and reprisal, .... 928
22, Peyton Randolph unable to attend the Congress,
Henry Middleton chosen President, - - 928
Address from Christopher TuUy received, - 928
Journal ordered to be printed, ... 928
A Congress to be held on the 10th of May next,
unless redress of Grievances should be sooner
obtained, recommended, .... 928
Letter from Congress to the Colonies of St.
John's, &c., 929
24, Address to the People of Q,uebeck reported, con-
sidered, and recommitted, .... 929
Address to the King reported, ... 929
25, Address considered, approved, and ordered to be
engrossed, ...... 929
To be sent to the Colony Agents, to be presented
to his Majesty ; and the Agents requested to
call in the aid of such Noblemen and Gentle-
men as are firm friends to American Liberty, 929
Committee to prepare a Letter to the Agents, - 929
Thanks of Congress to the patriotick Advocates of
Civil and Religious Liberty who have espoused
the cause of America, both in and out of Par-
liament, 929
26, Letter to the Colony Agents, - - - 929
Address to the Inhabitants of the Province of
Quebeck, 930
Address to the King, ..... 934
List of the Colony Agents, .... 933
List of the Delegates who attended the Congress, 938
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
Oct. Letter from Govemour CJage to Peyton Ran-
20, dolph, in reply to the Letter from the Con-
gress, of the 10th of October, ...
Letter to Peyton Randolph, late President of
the American Continental Congress, from an
Inhabitant of Massachusetts, against the Pro-
ceedings of the Congress, and defending the
conduct of General Gage, ...
Letter to General Gage, from Williamsburg, in
Virginia, ......
Letter from John Dickinson to Arthur Lee. The
Colonies have taken such grounds that Great
Britain must relax, or involve herself in a Civil
War. A determined and unanimous resolu-
tion animates the Continent,
Letter from John Dickinson to Josiah Quincy,
Jun. The most peaceable Provinces are now
animated ; and a Civil War is inevitable, unless
there be a quick change of British measures.
Letter from Colonel Charles Lee to the Duke
of — . All orders of men, throughout the Col-
onies, are enthusiastick in the cause of Free-
dom. The People have Arms, and are expert
in their use, ......
Letter from Govemour Gage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. The Provincial Congress, it is report-
ed, had in agitation the embodying of fifteen
thousand Men, to be ready, at a moment's warn-
ing, and to be supported by the neighbouring
Provinces. It is the intention of the Congress
to assemble the old Council at the next meet-
ing, to form as complete a Government as pos-
sible for the Province, ....
Letter from Josiah Quincy to Josiah Gluincy, Jun.,
Letter from Govemour Penn to the Earl of Dart-
mouth, .......
NavA, Address of the Grand Jury for the County of Es-
sex, in New-Jersey, to Frederick Smith, Chief
Justice of the Province, ....
Letter from a Gentleman, at Bladensburg, Mary-
land, to his brother, in Glasgow. Virginia is
raising a Company of Men in every County.
Maryland has begun to raise Men in every
CONTENTS.
27,
27,
28,
29,
30,
989
939
945
- 947
947
949
31,
31,
1.
950
951
952
967
1774.
Nov.
2,
2,
3,
2,
2.
2,
2,
3,
4,
5,
5,
6,
6,
LXXIV
County also. To the Northward they have
large Bodies ready for the field. Regulation
of prices of imported Goods, ... 953
Circular Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to
the Governours of the Colonies. Requires
Returns every three months of the state of
their respective Councils, .... 953
Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Lieutenant
Governour Coldcn. Requires him to be par-
ticularly attentive to prevent the importation of
Gunpowder ; he has every day intelligence of
the Americans purchasing large quantities of
Arms and Ammunition in the different Ports
of Europe, 953
Council of Pennsylvania authorize the laying out
a King's Highway, from the Wind Gap, on the
North side of the Blue Mountain, to Wyoming, 954
Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Governour
Penn, dated August 26. Requires him to de-
sist from extending the jurisdiction of Pennsyl-
vania to the line run by the Commissioners of
that Province and Maryland, ... 954
Proclamation of Governour Penn, requiring Ma-
gistrates and others to desist from exercising
jurisdiction beyond those places where it has
been heretofore exercised, until his Majesty's
pleasure shall be known in the premises, - 955
Letter from Governour Penn to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. Explanation of his motives for issuing
the Proclamation for extending the jurisdic-
tion, 955
Letter from Arthur St. Clair to Governour Penn.
Report of the Battle between the Indians and
Colonel Lewis, ..... 955
Address of the Committee to the Freeholders and
Electors of the City and County of Philadel-
phia. Recommend the election of a new
Conwnittee, under the Association of the Con-
gress, - 956
Letter from Lieutenant Governour Golden to the
Earl of Dartmouth. The Congress broke up
last week. Their measures do not meet with
applause in New- York ; on the contrary, the
City is rather dissatisfied. The Merchants
dislike the Non-Importation, and the Farmers
will not bear the Non-Exportation. A great
majority in the Province disapprove of the
dangerous measures of the New England Go-
vernments, ...... 957
Letter from an Officer at Boston, to his friend in
Edinburgh. The Faction at Boston is very
low. All ranks of People are heartily tired
of disorder ; and as soon as the determination
of Great Britain to despise their Resolves and
Petitions, is known, all will be quiet, - - 957
Letter from Doctor Chauncy to Josiah Gluincy,
Jun., London. The Colonies are united in
their resolution to defend their Liberties. All
wish for a restoration of harmony, and dread a
bloody conflict; yet this they will universally c'
go into, rather than submit to the tyrannical
measures imposed on them, ... 953
Letter from Governour Perm to the Earl of Dart-
mouth, 958
Charge of William Henry Drayton, one of the
Judges of the General Sessions of the Peace,
for the Districts of Camden and Cheraws, in
South Carolina, on his Circuit, the fifth and fif-
teenth days of November, to the several Grand
Juries, ...--.. 959
Presentments of the Grand Jury for the District
of Camden, - - - - - -961
Presentments of the Grand Jury for the Cheraws
District, %2
Address of the Petit Jury of Cheraws District, to
Judge Drayton, ..... 962
Resolutions adopted at a Meeting of the Officers
under the command of Lord Dunmore, con-
vened at Fort Gower, .... 962
Sheep not permitted to be sent from New- York
to the West Indies, 963
Letter from Joseph Reed to Josiah Gluincy, Jun.
The Quakers have directed their members not
to serve on the Committee for carrying into
effect the Association of Congress ; yet, in Phil-
adelphia, there is no fear that any discontented
spirit dares oppose the measures necessary for
the publick safety. There is more fear for
1774.
Ntm.
7,
7,
7.
CONTENTS.
1.XXVI
7.
7,
7.
8,
8,
9.
10.
10,
11,
11.
12,
12,
14,
14,
15,
15.
15,
15,
15.
16,
16,
New- York, where there has been a strange
delinquency the whole Summer,
Meeting of tlie Inhabitants of York, in Virginia,
and Procec-ding-s of the County Committee, on
the arrival of Tea, - :,',,',.
Meeting of the Committee and other Inhabitants
of Gloucester, in Virginia, on the arrival of Tea,
Concession of John Prentiss to the York and
Gloucester Committees, for importing Tea, -
Meeting of the Inhabitants of the City of Phila-
delphia, to make arrangements for electing a
Committee, - - - ■ " . "
New- York Committee recommend the election
of a Committee of Inspection, for the purposes
expressixi in the Association of Congress,
Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston,
Leuer 'from New- York to a Correspondent m
London, - • - " ' *
Meeting at Marblehead, in Massachusetts. Ap-
pointed a Committee to execute the Associa-
tion ; and fixed a day for choosing Militia Of-
ficers, - - - - " ■ *
Meeting of the Committee for Westmoreland
County, in Virginia. Resolutions relative to
David Wardrobe, . . - ■
Letter from David Wardrobe to Archibald Pro-
van, of Glasgow, dated June 30,
Proclamation of Governour Eden,
Meeting of the Inhabitants of Anne Arundel
County, and the City of Annapolis. Com-
mittee of Observation and Committee of Cor-
respondence appointed, . - - -
Address of the Merchants, Traders, and others, of
Williamsburg, to Pej-ton Randolph and the
other Delegates, . - - - -
Answer to the Address, - - ■
Proclamation of Governour Gage, against the
Resolves of the Provincial Congress,
Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Commerce,
concluded on the 20th of October, between
Georgia and the Creek Indians,
Concession of Nicholas Austin, to the Committee
of Correspondence of Rochester, in New-
Hampshire, ..----
Proclamation of Lieutenant Governour Bull.
Trade opened with the Creek and Cherokee
Indians. Revokes all Indian Trade Licenses,
and requires new ones to be taken out.
Committee of Observation for Baltimore County,
in Maryland, appointed, . . . -
Political Observations, without order, addressed to
the People of America. . - - -
Reply to the foregoing. . . - .
Another Reply. - - - - - -
Letter from the New- York Committee to Daniel
Dunscomb. Chairman of the Committee of
Mechanicks. . . - -
New- York Committee having agreed to dissolve,
appoint a day for the election of a new Com-
mittee, ....---
Letter from a Gentleman at Amsterdam, to a
friend in Philadelphia. A Vessel there load-
ing with Ammunition and Arms, stopped by a
Cutter sent from Dover, . - . .
Letter from Nathaniel Appleton to Josiah Quin-
cy, Jun. It is the universal voice of the Peo-
ple, that they will sacredly observe the recom-
mendations of the Grand Congress,
Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. The Proceedings of the Continental
Congress astonish and terrify all considerate
men. Though many of their Resolves neither
can nor will be observed, it is to be feared they
will be generally received. Barracks have
been provided for the Troops ; and by various
means. Provisions for six months have been
obtained, ......
Letter from Grovcmour Wentworth to the Earl
of Dartmouth. Violent proceedings in some
parts of New-Hampshire. No hopes of a
legal establishment of the powers of Govern-
ment in the Province, until they are efTectually
restored in Massachusetts, - . . .
Proclamation by the King. Copper Coins for
Virginia, .....
Meeting of Inhabitants of Calvert County, Ma
ryland. Committees of Observation and Cor
respondence appointed, . . . ,
9G3
9G4
9G5
965
- 965
967
908
969
970
. 970
971
972
972
973
973
- 973
974
974
975
- 975
976
977
978
- 329
330
- 979
980
1771.
Nor.
16,
17,
18.
18,
18,
19,
21.
21
981
- 981
r
- 982
982
21,
22,
22,
22,
23,
23,
983
985
985
- 986
987
987
987
989
Rt-^olutions of the County Congress of the County
of York, in Massachusetts,
Meeting of the Freeholders of Henrico County,
Virginia. Committee of Observation appoint-
ed, .....--
Meeting of the Inhabitants of Charles County,
Maryland. Committees of Observation and
Correspondence, and Delegates to the Conven-
tion appointed, . . . . -
Meeting of the Inhabitants of Frederick County,
Mainland. Committees of Observation and
Correspondence, and Delegates to the Conven-
tion appointed, .....
Address of the Committee of Mechanicks, of New-
York, to the Delegates who represented the
City in the General Congress, . . -
Answer of the Delegates, . . . -
Address to the People of New- Jersey. Condemns
the Resolutions of the Congress. There are
no instances of Laws so severe, or any regula-
tions so inimical to Liberty, as their Resolves,
Tomi Meeting at Providence, in Rhode-Island.
One hundred and twenty-five Pounds voted for
the distressed Inhabitants of Boston,
Letter from Dr. Joseph Warren, to Josiah Quin-
cy, Jun. It is the united voice of America,
to preserve their Freedom, or lose their lives
in defence of it. The Resolutions of the Con-
gress are not the effect of inconsiderate rash-
ness, but the sound result of sober inquiry and
deliberation. If the Acts of Parliament are
not repealed the wisest step for both Countries
is to sejiarate, and not spend their blood and
treasure in destroying each other,
Maryland Convention, - . . - -
Several Counties not being represented the Con-
vention adjourned to the 8th of December,
Meeting of the Freeholders of Elizabeth City
County, Virginia. Committee of Observation
appointed.
Letter from an -Officer in the Army at Boston.
As to the Colonists taking Arms to resist the
Force of England, it is mere bullying. Any
two Regiments here ought to be decimated, if
they did not beat in the field the whole Force
of the Massachusetts Province, ...
Committee of Sixty Persons elected in New-
York, for the purposes mentioned in the Asso-
ciation of Congress, .....
Address of the Magistrates of Frederick County,
Maryland, to the Deputies from the Province
to the late Continental Congress,
Address of the Grand Jury of Frederick County,
Maryland, to their Deputies in the Congress,
Letter from Lieutenant Governour Bull to the
Earl of Dartmouth, ....
Committee of Observation, for Warwick County,
Virffinia, ...... 994
Nov.
23,
24,
990
991
- 991
- 991
991
- 992
992
993
993
993
993
993
993
993
25,
26,
28,
MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
The Provincial Congress meets, agreeably to
their adjournment, on the 29th of October, -
Walter Spooner, one of his Majesty's Constitu-
tional Council, desired to attend the Congress,
John Adams and Robert Treat Paine, of the
Continental Congress, desired to attend.
Members of the Continental Congress required
to report their Proceedings, ...
Dr. Appleton appointed Chaplain, ...
Proceedings of the Continental Congress reported,
read, and committed, .... 993
Petition from Officers of the Minute Men, in the
Northwest part of Worcester County, read
and committed, ..... 994
Commiuee to prepare a Plan for the Defence and
Safety of the Government, required to set forth-
with, 994
Committee to publish a list of the Mandamus
CoiiiiselloMkand others now in the Town of
Boston, fortnwith to prepare a Report, - - 994
Committee to ascertain the number of Constitu-
tional Counsellors now in To\\ti, - - 994
Committee to devise means of keeping up a Cor-
respondence with Montreal and Quebeck, - 995
Committee to prepare Form of an Order with
respect to the Treasurer's Bond. - - 995
Committee to take into consideration the state of
Lxxvn
CONTENTS.
LXXVIII
1774.
Nov.
29,
the Manufactures, and how they may be im-
proved in the Province, . . - .
Committee to make an estimate of the loss and
damage of every kind, occasioned by the Acts
of Parliament since the operation of the Port
Bill, -
Committee to state the amount of the Sums which
have been extorted from us since 17G3, under
certain Acts of the British Parliament,
30, Members to attend the Continental Congress
on the 10th of May next, to be appointed to-
morrow, ......
Letters from Doctor Franklin to Mr. Gushing,
read and referred to the Provincial Committee
of Correspondence, . . . . -
Dec. 1, Report of Committee on Proceedings of Conti-
nental Congress, read, considered, and recom-
mitted, .......
Thanks of the Congress to the other Colonies, for
their Donations to the Town of Boston,
Committee to call upon the Secretary for a list
of the Mandamus Counsellors, . . .
2, Report of Committee on the state of the Prov-
ince, .......
Members to represent the Province in Continental
Congress, chosen, .....
3, Report of Committee on the state of the Prov-
ince, considered, .....
5, Committee to prepare an Address to tlie Clergy,
desiring them to exhort the People to sustain
the Congress, ..-.--
Report on the Proceedings of the Continental
Congress adopted, .....
6, Committee to correspond with the Inhabitants of
Canada appointed, . . . . -
Brief to be circulated through the Province, to
promote Donations for the Sufferers in Boston
ajid Charlestown, . . . . -
Address to the Clergy, . ....
Mandamus Counsellors who have published a
renunciation of their Commissions,
7, Committee to prepare a true state of the number
of Inhabitants, and of the Exports and Imports
of the Colony, .....
8, Resolutions reconmiending the encouragement of
Manufactures in the Province, . . ^
Two General Officers chosen, ...
9, Committee on an Address from the Baptists to
the Congress, ......
Report of Committee relative to Publick Moneys
in the hands of Constables and others, adopted.
Committee on a Plan of Military Exercise pro-
posed by Captain Pickering, ...
Report of Committee on Address from the Bap-
tists, adopted, ......
Committee on Letter from the Town of Hard-
wick, .......
10, Report on Letter from Hard wick,
Address to the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of the Towns and Districts of Massachusetts
Bay,
Report of Committee on the state of the Province
relative to assuming Civil Government, consi
dered, and laid on the table,
Returns of the Officers and Men, of the Minute
Men, and the Militia to be made.
Report of Committee on the state of the Province,
E.xpense of transmitting the Address to the Cana.
dians to be paid by this Government,
The Congress dissolved, ....
Nov.
25,
25,
26,
28,
30,
995
995
995
996
996
996
996
997
997
997
997
997
997
999
999
1000
. 1000
1001
1001
1002
1003
1003
1004
1004
1004
1004
. 1005
e
. 1006
OORUESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
Meeting of a great number of the Freeholders of
Chesterfield County, Virginia. County Com-
mittee appointed, .....
Meeting of Freeholders of James City County,
Virginia. Committee of Observation appoint,
cd.
Committee for the upper part of Frederick Coun-
ty, Maryland. Punishment of John Parks,
Address of Committee of Correspondence to the
Freeholders of the County of Essex, in the
Province of New- Jersey, - - . .
Addrr-ss of the Committee of Philadelphia to the
Publick, ......
Committee of Observation for Philadelphia Coun-
ty.
1774.
Nov.
30,
Dec. 1,
2,
1008
1009
1009
1010
1010
4,
4,
5,
5,
5,
5,
Queries addressed to the Committees of Observ-
ation, on the Pamphlet, " A Friendly Address
to all Reasonable Americans," - . .1011
Meeting of Freeholders of Prince George's Coun.
ty, Maryland. Committees of Observation and
Correspondence, and Delegates to the Conven-
tion appointed, . . . . -1012
Meeting of Freeholders of Elizabethtown, Essex
County, New- Jersey. Committees of Observ.
ation and Correspondence appointed, . .1012
Letter from Governour Wentworth to the Earl
of Dartmouth. The measures recommended
by the Continental Congress received, impli.
citly, by the People, as matters of obedience.
Exportation of Sheep prevented, by order of
the Committee, . - . . .1013
Letter from Arthur St. Clair to Governour Penn.
Attempt of Mr. Connolly to enforce the juris,
diction of Virginia, at Pittsburgh. Mr. Scott,
a Pennsylvania Magistrate, arrested by Con-
nolly, on the 12th of November, and brought
before Lord Dunmore, at Fort Burd, - - 1013
Lord Dunmore arrived at Williamsburg, from his
expedition against the Indians, having brought
them to terms, and made a Treaty with them, 1014
Letter from Red Stone. Causes of the Indian War
traced from the Treaty made by Colonel Bou-
quet, with the Shawanese, in 1764, to the at-
tack of Captain Michael Cresap upon a party
of Indians, in April, 1774, . . .1015
Letter from the Camp, on Point Pleasant, at the
mouth of the Great Kenhawa, dated October
17th. Account of the Battle at that place, on
the 10th, 1016
Letter from Staunton, in Virginia, of November
4th. A further account of the same Battle, 1017
List of killed and wounded Virginians in the Bat.
tie at Point Pleasant, on the 10th of October,
(Note,) 1018
Message from Logan, an Indian Warrior, to
Lord Dunmore, 1020
Speech of Logan, a Shawanese Chief, to Lord
Dunmore, (Note,) ..... io2C
Address of the City of Williamsburg to Lord
Dunmore, ...... 1019
Answer to the Address, . . . - 1019
Address of the President and Professors of Wil-
liam and Mary College to Lord Dunmore, . 1019
Address of the Borough of Norfolk to Lord Dun-
more, 1019
Answer to the Address, .... 1020
Meeting of the Freeholders of Richmond County,
Virginia. Committee of Inspection appointed, 1021
Committee of New.Castle County, Etelaware.
Approve the Continental Association. Recom.
mend to the Inhabitants, from si.xteen to fifty
years of age, to form themselves into Military
Companies, ...... 1022
Meeting of the Inhabitants of Reading, in Berks
County, Pennsylvania. Committee of Obser.
vation appointed, ... . io23
1006
8,
1007
9,
1008
10,
1008
15,
20,
1007
23,
ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Dec. 5, The Assembly meets, 1023
Report from the Members deputed, in behalf of
this Province, to attend the General Congress,
Resolutions of the Congress considered, .
Further considered, and unanimously approved.
Deputies to the Congress, to meet on the 1 0th of
May next, appointed, ....
Committee to prepare Instructions to the Depu.
ties appointed, .....
Message from the Governour. Recommends re-
pair of Barracks in the Northern Liberties,
Answer to the Governour's Message. The House
does not think expedient to repair the Bar^
racks, ......
24, Instructions to the Deputies considered, and the
further consideration postponed to the next
Session, ......
Adjourned to the 20th of February next, -
1023
1023
1023
1023
1024
1024
. 1024
1024
1025
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
Dec. 6, Letter from London to a Gentleman in ^ew.
York. First information of the Resolves of
the Congress of the States of America, - 1025
■a
LXXIX
1774.
Dec.
6.
CONTENTS.
I.XXX
6,
7,
Mcetino' of the Freeholders of Essex County, Vir-
ginia. Committee of Obserration appointed,
Committee of Isle of Wight County, Virgmia,
6 Meeting of Freeholders of Princess Anne Coun-
ty, Virginia. Committee of Observation ap-
pointed, - - - -• ", ,"
C Re-^ulations, for the sale of Goods imported after
The first day of December, adopted by the
Philadelphia Committee, - " , , y^ "
6, Letter from Governour Penn to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. Philadelphia and several of the Coun-
ties have appointed Committees to enforce the
Association, --■"■'
Meeting of Freeholders and other Inhabitants of
Jamaica, in Queen's County, New- York. Ap-
prove the Resolutions of tKe Congress. Com-
mittee of Correspondence and Observation ap-
pointed, - - - - " , " "
Meeting of Freeholders of Ne^rark, m Esses
Countj', New-Jersey. Committee of Observa-
tion appointed, - - ' , " -■
Address of the Committee to the Delegates for
New-Jersev, in the Continental Congress, -
dueries of the' Committee relative to Rivington's
Newspaper, - - - " ,, " , '
T, Letter from Lieutenant Governour Colden to the
Earl of Dartmouth. Proceedings in New-
York on the Resolutions of Congress. Dis-
pute between the smugglers and fair traders
will probably defeat the Association. Men op-
posed to the Congress on the Committee ; they
at present support the measures of the Con-
gress, to prevent dangerous men from taking
the lead, ..----
8. Meeting of the Freeholders of Caroline County,
Virginia. Committee of Observation appoint-
ed, ■""""" 1
8, Meeting of the Deputies appointed by the several
Counties of the Province of Maryland, at the
City of Annapolis, by adjournment, on the 8th
of December, and continued till the 12th,
Proceedings of the Continental Congress unani-
mously approved, . . - • -
Woollen, Linen, and Cotton Manufactures recom-
mended, ....--
Advances on the prime cost of Goods regulated.
Suits not to be brought in any case for any Per-
son who violates the Continental Association,
None but Members of Committees to meddle with,
or determine, any question under the Associa-
tion, . - - - -
Will support, to the utmost of their power, any
Colony where an attempt shall be made to
carry into execution, by force, the assumed
power of Parliament to Tax the Colonies,
Inhabitants of the Province, from sixteen to fifty
years of age, to form themselves into Military
Companies, ......
Ten thousand Pounds to be raised by the Coun-
ties for the purchase of Arms and Ammuni-
, tion, .....--
Committee of Correspondence for the Province
empowered to call a Meeting of the Conven-
tion on the 24th of April next, -
Contributions for the Suffering Poor of Boston to
be continued, ------
Committee of Correspondence appointed.
Delegates to the next Continental Congress ap-
pointed, -------
Colonies and Provinces generally requested to
enter into such Resolutions as have been
adopted by this Province, for mutual defence
and protection, .....
9, Letter from Savannah, to a Gentleman of Phila-
delphia. Meeting at Savannah, on the 8th.
Georgia will unite with the other Colonies.
Large Donations made for Sufferers in Boston,
9, Meeting of the Freeholders of Prince William
County, Virginia. Committee of Observation
electee. Resolutions adopted on tire 21st to
enforce the Continental Association,
10, Circular from the Earl of Dartmouth to the
Governours of the several Colonics. The
Resolution of Parliament to sustain the King
in carrying into execution the Laws of tho
-fast Session, will put an end to the expecta-
tions of the Colonies of receiving support in
their unwarrantable pretensions,
1026
1026
1774.
Dec
10,
1026
1026
10.
1027
10.
10,
1027
- 1028
r
- 1029
- 1029
- 1030
- 1030
1031
1031
1031
1031
1032
- 1032
- 1032
1032
1032
1033
1033
1033
1033
1033
1033
1034
12,
12,
12.
12,
12,
13.
13.
14,
14,
1034
14,
16,
16,
Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Lieuten-
ant Governour Colden. Does not think the
assistance of the King's Troops to quell^ the
disturbances at Bennington, under the Ne\y-
Hampshire Grants, ought to be called for until
every other effort has been foimd insufficient;
and hopes these disputes may be settled without
the risk of bloodshed, ....
Meeting of Freeholders of Ne\vtown, in Queen's
County, New- York. Committee of Observa
tion appointed, . . . -
Letter from London, to a Gentleman in New-
York. Advantages to the Colonies from an
union with England. Parliament cannot
make the first advances towards reconcilia-
tion, ■ "
Letter from London to a Gentleman in New-
York. The American writers, by their pro-
tensions to Independence, and their claims to
exemption from Taxation, have ruined the
cause, ....---
Meeting of the Freeholders of King and Queen
County, Virginia. Committee of Observation
appointed, - - - - - -
Meeting of Henrico County, Virginia, Commit-
tee. The Resolutions of Congress to be con-
sidered by the Committee as the sole rule of
their conduct, respecting their present engage-
ments. Committee of Correspondence appoint-
ed, ...-.--
Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dan-
bury, in Connecticut. Resolutions to support
the Congress. Committee of Observation ap-
pointed. The Inhabitants requested to contri-
bute liberally. Money or Provisions for Boston
Sufferers,
Letter from Boston to a Gentleman in New- York.
It was moved on the 10th instant, in the Pro-
\incial Congress, that Arms be immediately
taken up against the King's Troops; a Mem-
ber stated such a move was infamous, as the
Members knew that neither Connecticut, nor
any of the Southern Colonies, meant to op-
pose his Majesty's Arms. At PljTiiouth they
are now beating up for Volunteers to attack
the Troops, ..---.
Letter from Captain Wallace to Vice Admiral
Graves, dated on board his Majesty's Ship
Rose, at Newport, Rhode- Island. The King's
Cannon upon Fort- Island carried off by the
Inhabitants, ...---
Letter from Sir James Wright to the Earl of
Dartmouth. Attempt to raise a flame again in
Georgia, since the return of the Carolina Dele-
gates from the Congress, whose Resolutions
and Proceedings have sanctioned Rebellion,
Letter from Arthur Lee to Richard Henry Lee,
Letter from Newport, in Rhode- Island, to a Gen-
tleman in New- York. The People there
have declared themselves openly against Gov-
ernment. The Publick Authorities have dis-
mantled the King's Fort, and moved the Can-
non and Stores to Providence, - - .
Letter from Governour Wentworth to Governour
Gage. This day about four hundred Men
proceeded to his Majesty's Castle, William and
Mary, and carried off by violence one hundred
barrels of Powder, belonging to the King ; to-
morrow, it is expected, they will carry off the
Cannon and Arms. Tho persons who took the
lead in this enormity are well kno\Mi,
Letter from Captain Cochran, Commander of
Fort William and Mary, to Governour Went-
worth. Informs him of the storming of the
Fort, and the seizure and removal of the Pow-
der, - "
Letter from Governour Wentworth to Governour
Gage. Last night many Cannon, and about
sixty Muskets, were taken from the Fort.
Portsmouth is full of armed Men, who appear
determined to dismantle the Fort entirely.
Letters from Portsmouth, in New- Hampshire, to
a Gentleman in New- York. Further ac-
counts of the seizure of the Powder and Can-
non at Fort William and Mary,
Address of the Council of Virginia to Govern-
our Dunmore, ...
The Govemour's Answer, - - -
- 1035
- 1035
1035
- 1036
1037
1037
1038
1039
1039
1040
1040
1041
1041
1042
1042
- 1043
1043
1044
K
1774.
2>fc. 13, Meeting of the Freeholders of Northampton
County, Virginia. Committee of Observation
appointed. The Association to be considered
the sole rule of the Committee's conduct in
every emergency, .... - 1044
Letter from the People of Northampton County,
Virginia, of the 30th August, to the Coimnit-
tee of Donations, at Boston, ... 1044
Reply from David Jeffries, of the Committee of
Donations, Boston, of the 30th of September,
to John Harmanson, and others, of Northamp.
ton, Virginia, ...... 1045
15, Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of
Dartmouth, 1046
16, Committee for Caroline County, Virginia. Re-
commend to the People of the County, as they
would avoid being considered enemies to Ame-
rican Liberty, not to have any dealings with
certain Merchants, charged with violating the
Association, -.-... 1047
16, Meeting of Freeholders of York County, Penn-
sylvania. Committee of Observation ap-
pointed, 1048
17, Meeting of the Freeholders of Charles City
County, Virginia. Committee of Observation
appointed, 1049
17, Town Meeting at Providence, in Rhode-Island.
Committee of Correspondence appointed, - 1049
17, Letter received in London from an Officer in
Boston. It is beheved, from certain circum-
stances, that General Gage means to strike
some stroke of importance soon, which the
Americans are little aware of, - - - 1049
18, Letter from Arthur St. Clair to Governour Penn, 1050
19, Letter from Lieutenant Governour Bull to the
Earl of Dartmouth, .... 105O
19, Philadelphia Committee order the Association of
the Butchers, in the City and Suburbs of Phil-
adelphia, to be printed, .... 1050
19, Meeting of Committee for Fairfax County, Vir.
ginia. Irish Linens imported in the Ship
Hope, from Belfast, directed to be sold agree,
ably to the Tenth Article of Association, - 1051
19, Meeting of the Committee of Observation, for
Gloucester County, Virginia. Committee of
Correspondence appoint^, - . t 1051
19, Committee of Observation for Elizabethtovm,
in New-Jersey. Resolution relative to Riv-
ington's Gazette, ..... 1052
20, Letter from London to a Gentleman of New-
York. Efforts of the Ministry to accomplish
their designs on the Colonies, ... 1052
20, Meeting of the Inhabitants of Chester Comity,
Pennsylvania. Committee of Observation ap-
pointed. Provincial Congress recommended, 1052
20t United Colonies extremely active and zealous in
the common cause, ..... 1053
20, Letter from a Gentleman in Boston to Mr. Riv-
ington. Account of the proceedings at Ports-
mouth, in New. Hampshire, and the capture of
Fort William and Mary, .... 1053
21, Meeting of Committee for Halifax County, North
Carolina. No dealings permitted with An-
drew Miller, who has refused to sign the Asso-
ciation, 1055
21, Meeting of the Committee for Prince George's
County, Maryland. Eight hundred and thir-
ty-three Pounds to be raised by subscription,
and ten Companies to be enrolled in the Coun-
ty, 1056
22, Meeting of Freeholders of Orange County, Vir-
ginia. Committee of Observation elected, - 1056
23, Circular Letter from the Committee of Corres-
pondence of Philadelphia, to the Committee of
Inspection of the several Counties in Pennsyl-
vania, .--.... 1056
22, Letter from Timothy Ruggles to the Printers of
the Boston Newspapers, .... 1057
Association proposed by Mr. Ruggles, to be sign,
ed by the People of Massachusetts, to oppose
the Congress, and support the King, - - 1057
22, Letter from Arthur Lee to Richard Henry Lee, 1058
23, Meeting of Inhabitants of Williamsburg, in Vir-
ginia. Committee of Observation appointed, 1059
23, Meetmg of Freeholders of Accomack County,
in Virginia. Committee of Observation ap-
pointed, 1059
23, Meeting of Gentlemen, Freeholders, and others,
FOCETH SeEIES.
CONTENTS.
LXXXII
1774.
of St. Mary's County, Maryland. Commit-
tees of Observation and Correspondence, and
Delegates to the Convention, appointed, - 1060
Dec.23, Meeting of Committee for Anne Arundel Coun-
ty, Maryland, 1060
24, Committee for Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
Resolution relating to Thomas Charles Wil-
liams, and Mr. Williams's acknowledgement, 1061
24, Letter from Governour Dunmore to the Earl of
Dartmouth. Every County in Virginia has
its Committee, and is, besides, raising an Inde-
pendent Company, for the avowed purpose of
being employed against Government, if occa-
sion requires. There is not a Justice of the
Peace in Virginia that acts, except as a Com-
mittee-man. The Association will defeat it-
self The Non-Exportation Agreement will
produce distress ; and Manufactures cannot,
advantageously, be carried on in Virginia, - 1062
24, Meeting of the Inhabitants of King's District,
Albany County, New- York. Will, at the
risk of their lives, suppress every Meeting,
Association, or Combination, which may, in
any wise, obstruct the due Administration of
Justice, under the King, in the Province, - 1063
24, Address from " A Watchman," to the Inhabit-
ants of British America, - . - . 1063
24, Letter from London to a Gentleman in New-
York, 1065
24, Letter from Philadelphia to a Member of the
British Parliament. A Manufactory of Gun-
powder begun in Pennsylvania, where there
are Gunsmiths enough to make one hundred
thousand Stand of Arms in a year, - - 1066
26, Letter from Philadelphia to a Member of the
British Parliament. The Ministry who be-
lieve the military preparations in the Colonies
have been recommended and taught by Gene-
ral Lee, are entirely mistaken. The Ameri-
cans were determined to seal their love of Li-
berty with their blood, long before they heard
the name of that Officer, .... 1066
26, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Vir-
ginia. The Petition of the Congress favour-
ably received in England. Lord Chatham
commends both the Petition and the other Pro-
ceedings in the highest terms, - - - 1 067
26, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Virginia.
The universal approbation the Proceedings of
the Congress meets with in England, has dis-
concerted the Ministry, who appear unwilling
to retract, and unable to proceed, - - 1067
26, Letter from Arthur Lee to Richard Henry Lee, 1068
26, Letter from an Officer in the Army, at Boston, to
a Gentleman in Edinburgh. The Army is
in high spirits, and the Town is quiet. "The
back settlements, in general, disapprove of the
Non-Importation Resolves, ... 1068
26, Letter from Governour GSage to the Earl of
Dartmouth, 1069
26, Proclamation of Governour Wentworth, for ap-
prehending and bringing to condign punish,
ment those who were guilty of the treason-
able insults and outrages at his Majesty's Cas-
tle, William and Mary, on the 14th and 15th
of this month, ..... 1069
27, Account of the seizure of Powder and Arms, at
New. York, 1070
28, Humble Petition and Memorial of the Assembly
of Jamaica, to the King's Most Excellent Ma-
jesty, in Council, 1072
28, Address to the Inhabitants of North America, in
general, and those of the Province of New-
York, in particular, in defence of the Con-
gress, 1074
29, Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Fair--
field, in Connecticut. Approve the Associa-
tion, and appoint Committee of Observation.
Committee to attend a County Congress, and a
Committee of Correspondence, appointed, - 1 075
30, Letter from Governour Eden to the Earl of
Dartmouth. The People of Maryland will
undergo any hardship, rather than submit to
the Tax on Tea ; and will support the Asso-
ciation, even if it causes the total ruin of their
Trade, 1076
30, Meeting at Oyster Bay, in Queen's County,
New- York, called to choose a Committee. —
UCXXIII
1774.
CONTENTS.
LXXXIV
The Meeting determined to be illegal, and ad-
joumed without transacting any business, - lOTo
De«.30, Letter from Joseph Trumbull to Govemour
Trumbull. A supply of Ammunition should
be procured, at tlie Colony's expense, as early
as possible, • - - ■ " "'
30, Mectijig of Freeholders and other Inhabitants of
Boston. Report on the Letter from General
Gage to Peyton Randolph, President of the
Congress, adopted, and to be forwarded to Mr.
Randolph. Thanks to the Colonies, for their
liberal Donations. Delegates to the Provmcial
Congress appointed, - - - - 10/7
30, Letter from Thomas Gushing to Josiah Qumcy,
Junior, ." '0^0
31, Letter from a Mercantile House at Yorkshire,^ m
England, to a Gentleman in New- York. The
Resolves of the Congress will have no effect in
England. Parliament cannot take notice of
them. Manidactures in England in a flour-
ishing condition, and Trade scarcely ever so
goodVfore, '080
3 1 , Letter from Govemour Penn to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. A general disposition every where to
adhere to the Resolutions of the Congress. In
Philadelphia the Committees have undertaken
to regulate the disposition of all British Goods
imported since the first of December, - - 1081
3 1 . Lihabitants of Maryland forming Military Com-
panies, ...•'•.•■- 1081
1775. ^ ^
Jan. 2, Meeting of the Freeholders of Richmond Coun-
ty, Virginia. Delegates to the Colony Con-
gress appointed. Instructions to the Delegates, 1021
2, Meeting of Inhabitants of Charles County, Mary-
land. Delegates to the Convention, and Com-
irdttees for general Subscription in each Coun-
ty, appointed. Members added to the Commit-
tee of Observation, - - - - - 1081
3, Meeting of the West India Merchants, in Lon-
don. Letter from the Planters. General
Meeting of Merchants and Planters called, - 1082
3, Letter from London to a Merchant in New-
York. Proceedings of the Congress has
alarmed Lord North, ... - 1083
3. Meeting of the Freeholders of Middlesex Coun-
ty, New-Jersey. Committees of Observation,
for the several Districts of the County, ap-
pointed, - - - - - - 1083
16, Meeting of the General Committee of Observa-
tion for Middlesex County, New- Jersey. Pro-
ceedings of the Congress approved. Commit-
tee of Correspondence appointed. Ministerial
writers endeavouring to effect a disunion of the
Colonies, condemned, .... 1083
4, Circular Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to
the Governours of the several Colonies, direct-
ing them to use their utmost endeavours to pre-
vent the appointment of Deputies to the Con-
gress, in May next, .... - 1085
4, Letter from London to a Gentleman in New-
York. The Manufacturing Counties begin to
suffer, ,....-. 1085
4, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Virginia.
Meetings of Merchants and Planters. The
West India Planters fear ruin, if the American
Acts are not repealed, .... 1085
4, Meeting of the Merchants and others concerned
in the American Commerce, at the King's
Arms Tavern, London, .... 1086
Speech intended to have been spoken at the
Meeting of the North American Merchants,
at the King's Arms Tavern, ... 1087
6, Letter from London. Account of the Meeting of
the Amciican Merchants, at the King's Arms
Tavern, -- 1087
9, Letter from Leeds to the Printer of the London
Evening Post, contradicting the representa-
tions in a Letter from Leeds, referred to by Mr.
Barclay, at the Meeting, on the 4th, - - 1088
16, Letter from David Barclay, enclosing the Letter
from Leeds, referred to by him at the Meeting,
on the 4th, ,...,. 1089
21, Letter from Samuel Elam, at Leeds, avowing
himself the writer of the Letter to Mr. Bar-
clay, and sustaining the representations there
made, of the effects of the American Associa-
tion on British Manufactures, . , , ^089
'^'''' Letter from Manchester to a Merchant in London,
enclosing a copy of a Letter from a Merchant
in New- York, countermanding orders for
Goods, - - 1091
Jan. 4, Meeting of Committee for Charles City County,
Virginia. Direct the sale of Goods recently
imported, ...... 1091
4, Letter from Lieutenant Govemour Golden to the
Earl of Dartmouth. If he finds there is not
a majority of the Assembly, which meets on the
1 1th, in favour of prudent measures, will pro-
rogue them. There is still a majority of the
respectable people in the City, who promote
peace and discountenance violence, - - 1092
4, Town Meeting at Barnstable, in Massachusetts.
Refuse to purchase Arms or Ammunition, en-
courage Minute Men, or send Delegates to the
Provincial Congress, .... 1092
5, An Epistle from the Meeting of Sufferings of the
Quakers, held in Philadelphia, for Pennsylva-
nia and New- Jersey, .... 1093
5, Address from a FreehoWer of Essex, in New-
Jersey, to the Committee of Essex County,
condemning the Resolutions of Congress, - 1094
5, Reply to the Address to the People of New- Jer-
sey, dated November 19th, - - - 1096
Address of the Committee of Correspondence of
Albany, in New- York, to the Publick, - 1097
5, Letter from the Albany to the New- York Dele-
gates in the Continental Congress, - - 1098
5, Letter from the Committee of Correspondence, at
Newport, in Rhode- Island, to the Philadelphia
Committee. The Association strictly adhered
to by the Merchants of the Colony, - - 1098
6, Letters at CharlcstowTi, from West Florida, with
information of the state of Indian affairs there, 1099
6, Meeting of Freeholders of several Towns in
Ulster County, New- York. Approve the As-
sociation, and all the other measures, of the late
Congress, - - - - - .1100
6, Letter from the Boston Committee of Donations,
to the Philadelphia Committee, - - - 1 100
7, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Lieutenant
Govemour Coldcn. The affairs of the Colo-
nies have come to a crisis, and will be taken
up by Parliament immediately after the holi-
days, 1101
Memorial of Colonel Thomas Ord, for a location
of five thousand acres of Land in New- York,
for his services, enclosed in the foregoing
Letter, - 1101
7, Letter from London to a Gentleman in New-
York. The Resolves of Congress have pushed
matters to an extremity, and render a complete
decision of the dispute inevitable. The ques-
tion now is. Whether America shall be inde-
pendent of, or subordinate to, the Parliament, 1101
7, Meeting of the Inhabitants of Woodbridge, in
Middlesex County, New- Jersey. Committee
of Observation appointed. Determination to
carry into effect the Association, - - 1102
9, Letter from a Merchant in London to a friend in ' •
Virginia. There is no disposition in the Cabi-
net to give America any redress. The Colo-
nies should preserve their union, and provide
themselves with Manufactures, Arms, and Am-
munition, for it is more than probable they will
have occasion for them, - . - - 1104
9, Meeting of the Inhabitants of Epsom, in New-
Hampshire. Pedlars to be tarred and feather-
ed, and forfeit their Goods, ... 1105
2, Meeting of the Inhabitants of Exeter, in New-
Hampshire. Unanimously adopt the Associa-
tion, appoint Committee of Observation, and
Delegates to the Convention, to meet on the
25th, - - - - - - - - 1105
9, Meeting of the Freeholders of Morris County,
New- Jersey. Unanimously agree to abide by
the Association. Order the election of Commit-
tees of Observation by each Township of the
County, and elect a new Committee of Corres-
pondence. Rivington declared an enemy to
tlie Country, and his Newspaper to be discoun-
tenanced for the future, - - - - 11 06
9, Letter from Samuel Adams to the Committee ap-
pointed in New- York to receive and transmit
Donations for the relief of the sufferers in Bos-
toijj - • -. - - - - 1105
LXXXV I
1775.
Jan. 1 1, Meeting of Merchants, Traders, and others, con-
cerned in the American Commerce, at the
King's Arms Tavern, London. Petitions to
Parliament adopted, and ordered to be pre-
sented, .-.---.
A circumstantial account of the Proceedings of
the North American Merchants, held at the
King's Arms Tavern, Cornhill, London,
CONTENTS,
LXXXVI
1775.
1107
- 1107
PROVINCIAL CONGRESS OF SOCTH CAROLINA.
Jan. 1 1, List of the Members of the Congress,
Charles Pinckney chosen President,
American Bill of Rights, as declared by the Con-
tinental Congress, approved.
Reasons assigned for not stating all the Griev-
ances, (NotP,) ------
The Association approved, - - - .
Debates on agreeing to the Association, (Note,)
Thanks to the Continental Congress, for their
wise and spirited exertions in behalf of Ameri-
can Liberty, ......
No action for any Debt to be commenced, except
in certain cases, without the consent of the
Committee of the District where the defendant
resides, until it shall be otherwise ordered by
the Provincial Congress, . . - .
Committees for the several Districts and Parish-
es, for carrying into execution the Association,
and for determining upon applications relative
to law processes, .....
Regulations in relation to Rice, if the exporta-
tion shall be continued after the 10th of Septem-
ber next, ......
Committees for exchanging Rice for other com.
modifies, ......
The raising of Cotton, Hemp, Flour, Wool, Bar
ley, and Hops, reconrniended,
Publick Storekeepers to be appointed to receive
and sell Wool, and the Linen, Woollen, and
Cotton Manufactures of the Colony,
The present Provincial Congress to continue un-
til the next General Meeting of the Inhabit-
ants, .......
The Parochial and District Committees requested
to use their utmost endeavours to obtain liberal
Donations for the relief of the suffering People
of Boston, ......
Deputies to the American Congress, to meet on
the 10th of May next, appointed,
Address to Lieutenant Governour Bull, complain-
ing of the long and still continued disuse of
General Assemblies, ....
Answer of the Lieutenant Governour,
Inhabitants of the Colony recommended to be
diligently attentive in learning the use of
Arms, ......
Friday, the 17th of February, set apart as a day
of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer, and Min.
isters of the Gospel throughout the Colony
requested to deliver suitable Discourses on the
occasion, .....
1109
1110
- 1110
1111
1111
1111
1112
1113
1113
1114
1116
- IIIG
- IllG
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NEW-JERSEY.
/aw. 11, Meeting of the Council,
13,
The Governour delivered a Speech to both
Houses, ......
18, Committee to prepare an Address in answer to
the Governour's Speech, . . . .
24, Address reported, amended, and agreed to,
26, Address presented to the Governour,
Governour's Answer, . - - . .
JFkJ. 10, Proceedings on the case of a Challenge from
James Murdock to Lord Stirling,
13, Adjourned to March 14th, . . . .
1116
1116
1116
1117
1118
- 1118
■ 1118
1117
- 1117
1117
1118
1119
1119
1120
1121
/an. 11, The Assembly meets, - - . . . 1121
List of the Representatives, - . - .1121
Speech of the Governour to the Council and
Assembly, ...... 1121
Governour's Speech read and committed to Com-
mittee of the Whole House, ... 1123
House in Committee on the Governour's Speech, 1123
Speech further considered in Committee, - 1123
Further considered, ..... 1123
Further considered, 1123
Committee to prepare an Address in answer to
the Speech, 1124
13,
16,
17,
20,
21,
23,
Committee to bring in a Bill for the Support of
Government, ......
/a«.24. Proceedings of the Continental Congress, com
municated to the House by the Delegates,
Proceedings of the Congress unanimously ap-
proved, ---....
Delegates to the Congress to meet in May next,
appointed, ---...
The Delegates instructed to Disagree to any Pro-
position in the Congress to give some Colonies
more Votes in the determination of Questions
to bind the whole, than to others,
25, Governour's Speech further considered in Com-
mittee, ----...
Committee to prepare a Petition to the King,
praying a redress of Grievances,
27, Bill for Support of Government, read, and second
reading ordered, ....
30, Address to the Governour read, and second read'
ing ordered, . . . . . ^ .
31, Message from the Governour, wth a Letter from
Colonel Robertson, requesting to be allowed
for Sheets furnished the King's Troops,
Address to the Governour read a second time, con-
sidered in Committee of the Whole, amended,
and agreed to, -
Feb. 3, Petition from a number of Inhabitants of Not-
tingham, in Burlington County, praying some
measures may be taken to settle the Disputes
between Great Britain and the Colonies,
Address of the House presented to the Govern-
our, .......
Answer of the Governour, ....
6, Proceedings on the Bill for the Support of Gov.
ernment, ......
7, Governour's Message, received on the 31st of
January, considered. Refuse to allow Colo-
nel Robertson's charge of three hundred and
fifty-four Pounds, seven Shillings and six
Pence, for Sheets furnished the King's Troops
in this Colony, ,;....
8, Petition from the Inhabitants of Nottingham re.
ferred to the Committee appointed to prepare
an Address to the King, ....
10, Proceedings in regard to James Murdock, for
Challenging a Member of the House,
11, Petition to the King reported and considered in
Committee, *».»».
13, Further considered in Committee, agreed to, and
ordered to be signed by the Speaker,
Speaker permitted to enter his Dissent to the Peti^
tion, on the Journals of the House,
Adjourned to March 14th, then to meet at Bur^
lington, .......
1124
- 1124
- 1124
1124
1124
1124
- 1125
d
- 1125
1125
- 1125
- 1125
- 1126
1126
1127
1127
1129
1130
1131
1131
- 1132
1134
1134
CORRESPONDENCE,
PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
Jaw. 11, Letter from Connecticut to a Gentleman at New-
port, in Rhode-Island. The whole Militia of
the Colony ordered to train, and a quantity of
Powder and Lead to be provided. The time
is near when we must gird on our Swords ; the
united Forces of America will be able to
withstand all the Troops England can spare, 1 134
12, Resolutions adopted by the Committee of Darien,
in Georgia, ...... 1135
Association of the Freemen, Freeholders, and In-
habitants of the Province of Georgia, - 1136
13, Meeting of the Freeholders of Charlotte County,
Virginia. Committee of Observation appointed.
Proceedings of the Committee, - - - II 38
13, Letter from Hartford, in Connecticut, to a Gen-
tleman at New- York. The Governour and
Council met on the 4th, and have ordered Pow-
der and Lead to be purchased at the publick
expense ; and the Militia is mustered every
week. Nothing but a spirit of Independence
would suffer matters to be carried to such ex-
tremities, .....
15, Letter from Bristol, in England, to a Gentleman
in New- York, .....
16, Meeting of the Inhabitants of Anne Arundel
County, Maryland, Committee of Observa-
tion appointed. The Committee authorized to
elect Delegates for the County to the Provin-
cial Congress, and to nominate a Committee
of Correspondence. Every person in the
County who shall refuse to contribute for the
- 1139
1139
LXXXVII
1775.
CONTENTS.
LXXXVIII
- 1140
1141
purchase of Arms and Ammunition, shall be
considered an enemy to America,
Objections to the Proceedings of this Meeting,
(Note,) - -
/«».16,Meeting of Freeholders and other Inhabitants of
Prince George's County, Maryland. Mem-
bers added to the Committee of Inspection, and
to the Committee of Corrrspondt nee. Dele-
gates to the Provincial Congress appointetl, -
16, Meeting of the Inhabitants of Baltimore County,
Maryland. Proceedings of the late Provin-
cial Convention, approved.
Delegates to the next Provincial Congress ap-
pointed, - - - - - - ■
Members added to the Committee of Observation,
Name of every person refusing to subscribe for
the purchase of Arms and Ammmiition to be
returned to the Committee, - - -
Forming the Inhabitants into Military Companies,
and resisting with force, illegal attempts upon
their Property, not repugnant to the Oaths of
Allegiance, ------
Subscriptions to be opened throughout the County
to supply the necessities of the Suflerers at
Boston, -------
Committee to purchase Powder and Lead,
16, Meeting of the Committee of Bucks County,
Pennsylvania. Approve the Proceedings of
the Congress. Agree to support the Associa-
tion. Recommend raising Money for sup-
port of Poor Inhabitants of Boston ; and ap-
point Committee of Correspondence,
16, Committee of Berks County, in Pennsylvania.
Recommend the Inhabitants of the County not
to sell Sheep to Butchers, preserving the Wool,
being of the greatest consequence,
17, Meeting of the Supporters of the Bill of Rights,
in London. Members of the Society who
have seats in Parliament, requested to exert
themselves in bringing to justice the advisers
of the measures for establishing Arbitrary
Government in the Colonies, - - - 1145
17, Meeting of the Committee for Fairfax County,
Virginia. Ammunition should be immediately
provided; and the Inhabitants of the County
requested to form themselves into Military
Companies, ------ 1145
Association proposed for the Inhabitants of Fair-
fax Coimty, ------ 1145
Meeting of the Committee of Observation for Bal-
timore County, Maryland. Charges against
the Rev. William Edmiston, - - - 1146
Meeting of the West India Merchants and Plan-
ters, in London, assembled to deliberate on the
measures necessary to be pursued on this very
unportant crisis, 1147
1142
- 1142
1143
1143
1143
1143
1143
1143
1144
1144
17,
18,
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA.
Ja».18, Meeting of the Assembly, - . - . 1152
Speech of Giovernour Wright to both Houses, 1 152
Alessage from the Upper House to the Commons, 1 153
20, Address of the Upper House of Assembly to the
Governour, - - - - - -1154
Answer of the Governour, - - - - 1155
Address of the Commons House of Assembly to
the Giovernour, - . . . . II55
Governour's Answer, ----- 1156
Resolutions Declaratory of the Rights of the
Colonies, ------ 1156
.(Association entered into by the Provincial Con-
gress of Georgia, assembled in Savannah, on
the 1 8th of January, and subscribed by forty-
five Deputies, on the 23d, \vhen they chose
Noble Wimberly Jones, Archibald Bullock,
and John Houston, Delegates to represent that
Colony in the Continental Congress to be held
in May next, 1158
Letter from Georgia, datetl February 18th, to a
Gentleman in New- York. Proceedings of the
Assembly, and of the Continental Congress, 1160
Committee for St. John's Parish, Georgia, at
Charlestown, on the 23d of February, to wait
on the General Committee there, - - 1161
Letter from Lyman Hall, Chairman of a Meet-
ing held in St. John's Parish, Georgia, dated
February 9, to the Committee of Correspond-
ence of Charlestown, in South Carolina, - 1161
1775.
Jan:20. Message from the Committee of St. John's Pa-
rish, to the Committes of the several Parishes
of Georgia, in Congress, on the 18th of Janua-
ry,
Another Message to the Committees of the seve-
ral Parishes in Congress met, on the 20th,
Answer of the Parishes met in Congress to the
St. John's Committee, . . - .
Resolutions of the St. John's Committee,
Resolution of the General Committee at Charles-
town, South Carolina, of February 8th. Will
have no Trade, Commerce, Dealings, or In-
tercourse, with the Colony of Georgia,
Chairman of the General Committee at Charles-
town directed, on the 24th of February, to
write to the Committee of the Parish of St.
John, in reply to their Letter of the 9th inst.,
that they cannot trade with them ; and refer
them to the Continental Congress,
1162
1162
1162
1162
1163
- 1163
19.
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC.
Jan. 18, Meeting of the several Township Committees of
Hunterdon County, New-Jersey. Approve
the Association of the Continental Congress,
and appoint a Committee of Correspondence,
Association signed by a number of the Inhabit-
ants of Dutchess County, New- York. No
leg;al authority in America, but what is derived
from the King. They will defend themselves
whenever attacked on any pretence not war-
ranted by the Laws of the Land : They will on
all occasions exercise all their rights under the
Laws of the Land, notwithstanding the Asso-
ciation of the Continental Congress ; and will
enforce obedience to the authority of the King,
whenever called upon to do so, -
Letter from Montreal. Parties in Canada,
Letter from Shrewsbury, New- Jersey, to a Gen-
tleman in New- York. At a meeting of Free-
holders, on the 17th, it was determined that the
appointment of a Committee was not only use-
less, but would disturb the peace and quiet of
the Township, . . . -
Meeting of the Freeholders of Fincastle Coun-
ty, Virginia. The Association of the Conti-
nental Congress approved and subscribed, and
a Committee of Observation appointed.
Address of the People of Fincastle County, Vir-
ginia, to the Delegates from that Colony, who
attended the Continental Congress,
Address from the Committee of Correspondence
of Jamaica, in Queen's County, to the Dele-
gates who represented New- York in the late
Continental Congress, ....
Answer of the Delegates, - - - -
Letter from Massachusetts Bay to a Gentleman
in London. The Colonies will submit to no
terms without a restoration of their rights ;
England cannot dragoon them out of their Li-
berties. The Congress have drawn a constitu-
tional line : they have claimed exclusive juris-
diction over all internal concerns, and have left
Great Britain the sovereignty of the Ocean,
Meeting of the Committee of Charles County,
Maryland. No further restraints to be laid uj)-
on the bringing of suits at law, than is done
by the last Provincial Convention,
Proclamation of Governour Dunmore. Peace
with the Shawancse, who have agreed not to
hunt on this side the Ohio, nor to molest pas-
sengers on that River, - - .
Proceedings of the Convention for the Province
of Pennsylvania, held at Philadelphia, Janua-
ry 23d, and continued by adjournments, until
the 2Sth,
List of the Members, - - - - -
The City Committee and each Coimty Commit-
tee to have one vote in determining every ques-
tion, .......
Proceedings of the Continental Congress ap-
proved, --..---
Members of the Assembly to be instructed to
procure a Law prohibiting the importation of
Slaves into tlie Province, . . ,
In case the Trade of Philadelphia shall be sus-
pended, in the present struggle, assistance to be
given to the Inhabitants of die City,
18.
i8.
20,
20,
19,
21,
21,
23,
23,
1163
1164
11G4
- 1165
1163
- 1165
1166
1167
1167
11G3
- 1169
1169
1169
1170
1170
- 1170
1170
LXXXIX
CONTENTS.
1775.
/fflzi.23, In case of opposition to any of the Committees,
in carrying the Continental Association into
effect, to be assisted by other Committees, - 1 170
If the British Government shall determine to ef-
fect a submission to the late Acts of Parliament
by force, it is the indispensable duty of the Peo-
ple to resist, and at every hazard, to defend the
Rights and Liberties of America, - - 1171
After the first of March next, no Sheep under
four years old, to be killed, - - - 1171
Betting up of Woollen Manufactures, in as many
different branches as possible, recommended, 1171
Raising and manufacturing of Madder, Woad,
and other Dye Stuffs, necessary in Woollen
Manufactures, recommended, - - - 1171
Extended cultivation of Flax and Hemp, recom-
mended, 1171
Making Salt, Saltpetre, and Gunpowder, recom-
mended, 1171
Manufacturing of Copper, Tin, and Iron, and
making Steel, Paper, Glass, and Wool Combs,
recommended, ..... 1171
Printing Types made at Germantown, recom-
mended to be used by the Printers, in prefer-
ence to imported Types, - - - - 1 172
Cultivation of Barley for Malt Liquors recom-
mended, to render less necessary the consump-
of Foreign Liquors, .... 1172
American Manufactures to be used in prefer-
ence to all others, - - - - - 1 172
Societies to be established, and Premiums award-
ed, for the encouragement of Manufactures, - 1 172
Any Manufacturer or Vender of Goods, who shall
sell at extravagant prices, to be advertised as
an enemy to his Country, - - - - 1 172
Committee of Philadelpliia appointed a Standing
Committee of Correspondence, - - - 1172
20, Letter from Samuel Adams, Chairman of the
Committee to receive Donations for the Suf-
ferers in Boston, - - - - - 1172
24, Letter from Connecticut to a Gentleman in New-
York. People are preparing for the worst ;
a Park of forty pieces of Cannon may be form-
ed in the Spring, and our Army will be pretty
expert in most of the manceuvres, - - 1173
24, Meeting of the Inhabitants of Frederick County,
Maryland. Association and Resolves of the
Congress, and Proceedings of Convention ap-
proved. Committees of Observation and of Cor-
respondence appointed. Committees through-
out the County appointed to receive contribu-
tions for purchase of Arms and Ammunition,
and the Committee of Correspondence author-
ized to contract for any quantity of Powder
and Lead, - - - - - -1173
24, The Testimony of the Quakers, given forth by a
Meeting of the Representatives of said People,
in Pennsylvania and New-Jersey, held at
Philadelphia, 1176
24, Letter from Connecticut to a Gentleman of New-
York. Preparations of the Governour and
Council to supply the Colony with Ammuni-
tion and Arms, - . - . . 1177
24, Letter from Marshfield to a Gentleman in Bos-
ton. Troops sent by General Gage to Marsh-
field, to preserve the peace, at the request of the
Loyalists of that place, 7 - - - 1177
26, Letter from Boston to a Gentleman of New- York.
A number of the principal Inhabitants of
Marshfield having signed General lluggles's
Association against the Liberty Plan, the Fac-
tion at Plymouth threatened to make them
recant, or drive them off their Farms : General
Gage sent Troops to protect them, and there
has yet been no appearance of the Plymouth
Rebels, ------
25, Meeting of the Committee of Northumberland
County, Virginia. Persons published in the
Gazette for Gambling, in violation of the Ame-
rican Continental Association, ...
Ja7s.25, Meeting of the Council of Pennsylvania,
Affidavit of Samuel Whitcsill, Keeper of the Jail
of Westmoreland County. Jail attacked, and
Prisoners released by Major Cormolly, on the
24th of December, 1179
Proclamation of John Connolly, dated Fort Dun-
more, December 30. Forbids the payment of
Ta.xes to Collectors appointed by Pennsylva-
- 1178
1170
1179
1775.
Jan.25,
25,
1179
- 1180
nia, and authorizes the seizure of all persons
who may attempt to enforce the collection, -
William Crawford, President of the Court, in
Westmoreland County, superseded by the
Governour and Council of Pennsylvania, for
joining with the Government of Virginia, in
opposing the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania, in
that County, --....
Letter from Philadelphia to a Gentleman in
New- York. The Addresses to Governour Col-
den has had a great effect in Pennsylvania :
the New- York Assembly is revered there by
all sensible men, for their undaunted resolu-
tion in first making a stand against lawless
usurpers of Power, and violators of Liberty.
The Assembly of Pennsylvania will, it is
hoped, rescind their approbation of the Pro-
ceedings of Congress, - - - - 1180
25, Convention of Deputies appointed by the several
Towns in the Province of New-Hampshire,
held at Exeter, 1180
Approve the Proceedings of Congress, - - 1180
Appoint Delegates to represent the Province in
the Continental Congress, to be held in May
next, 1181
Committee to call a Provincial Convention of
Deputies when they shall think it expedient, 1181
Committee of Correspondence appointed, - 1181
Address to the Inhabitants of the Province, - 1 181
26, Meeting of the Freeholders of Pittsylvania Coun-
ty, Virginia. Committee for enforcing and
putting in execution the Continental Associa-
tion, appointed, - - . - - 1 182
26, Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of
the Precinct of Shawangunk, in Ulster Coun-
ty, New- York. Approve of the Continental
Association. The Pamphlet, " Free Thoughts
on the Resolves of the Congress," burnt, - 1183
26, Address to the People of America. The leaders
in the Colonies aim at Lidependence. The
consequences of their obtaining an Indepen-
dent Republick considered, . . . 1 1 83
26, Letter from New- York to a Gentleman in An-
napolis. A motion made in the Assembly of
New- York, this day, for examining the Pro-
_ ceedings of the Congress, was thrown out, - 1188
T.Hemarks on the vote in the Assembly of New-
o8jI -- York, against taking into consideration the
;,., Proceedings of the Continental Congress, - 1188
27, Letter from Baltimore to a Gentleman in New-
York. From the late conduct of the Council
and Assembly of New- York, the happiest con-
sequences to the country are anticipated. —
Some persons in Baltimore have had the im-
becility to approve of the frantick proceedings
of certain Men, who lately styled themselves
Delegates to a Provincial Congress, - - 1 190
27, Letter from New- York to a Gentleman in Bos- \
ton. Notwithstanding the late vote of the As-
sembly, there is no cause to fear New- York
will depart from the Association. The As-
sembly has existed since 1 769 ; and many of
the Members, having long since forfeited the
esteem of their constituents, are looking for
favours from the Crown for themselves and
families, ......
Meeting of the Freeholders of the Precinct of
Hanover, in Ulster County, New- York. The
Association unanimously approved. The
Pamphlet, " Free Thoughts on the Resolves
of the Congress," publickly burnt,
Declaration of Freeholders and Inhabitants of the
Township of Jamaica, in Queen's County,
New- York. Never gave any consent to
choose a Committee, or pass any Resolves.
Utterly disapprove of all unlawful meetings
and tyrannical proceedings. Will continue
faithful Subjects to the King; and acknow-
ledge no Representatives but the Assembly of
the Province, - - - - - - 1 19 1
27, Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. The Towns in Massachusetts have
become more divided, notwithstanding the en-
deavours to keep up their enthusiasm. A de-
tachment sent for the protection of Marshfield
and Scituate, upon their application. This is
the first instance the assistance of Government
has been requested, 1698
27,
27,
1191
1191
XCI
1775.
Ja».27,
28.
CONTENTS. xcii
30,
30,
30,
30,
30,
30,
30,
31,
Feb.
Feb.
Feb. 1
1.
Votes and Resolves passed at a Convention of
Committees for the County of Worcester, in
Massachusetts, . . - - -
Letter from a Merchant in Annapolis, to a Gen-
tleman in Philadelphia. They have defeated
an insolent plan of levying Money upon his
Majesty's faithful Subjects in Anne Arundel
County, to raise a fund for the express purpose
of purchasing Arms and Ammimition, to join
the treasonable purpose projected by Adams
and the Eastern Republicans, to carry on a
formal Rebellion in the Colonies,
Answer of the Governour of his Majesty's Prov-
ince of Pennsylvania, in America, to the seve-
ral heads of Inquiry, relative to the present
state and condition of the said Province, trans-
mitted by the Right Honourable the Earl of
Dartmouth, in his Letter of July 5, 1773,
Letter from Governour Penn to the Earl of
Dartmouth, . . - - -
Meeting of Freeholders in the Precinct of Wall-
kill, Ulster County, New- York. Approve of
the Association of the General Congress. —
" Free Thoughts on the Resolves of the Con-
gress," burnt, ------
Letter from London to a Gentleman of New-
York. Commission sent to General Gage, to
try and execute certain persons in the Colo-
nies, ...----
To\vn Meeting of the Inhabitants of Ridgefield,
in Cormecticut. Refuse to adopt or conform
to the Association of the Continental Congress;
and protest against the Congress and their
measures, as unconstitutional, and as counte-
nancing licentiousness. Acknowledge the
King as the rightful Sovereign, and the King
and Parliament as the rightful Government of
the whole British Empire, ...
New- York Committee appoint Sub-Committee,
to observe the conduct of all Vessels that arrive
after the first day of February, - . -
Letter from New- York, to a Gentleman in Bos-
ton. There is now no chance of the Assem-
bly's aiding or abetting the Congress. The
friends of Government are open-mouthed
against the Proceedings of the Congress ; and
no one dares, among gentlemen, to support
them, .......
Meeting of the Freeholders of Westmoreland
County, Virginia. Delegates to the Conven-
tion elected. Instructions to the Delegates. —
Committee of Observation appointed.
Letter to Lord North. Proposes settling the dif-
ferences with the Colonies, without subjuga-
ting the Americans on the one hand, or impair-
ing the supreme authority of the Parliament on
the other, .....
Letter from Thomas Cushing to Arthur Lee. —
The People are not dismayed at the King's
Speech ; and if an attempt is made to carry the
Acts of Parliament into execution, by a Mili-
tary Force, the People of America wU make
the last appeal. They are determined Life
and Liberty shall go together, ...
Letter from Annapolis, to a Gentleman in New-
York. Thousands in Maryland would return
to their duty and allegiance, but for the cun-
ning of their leaders, which has rendered re-
treat so difficult. Every man in private must
think the Congressmen, and their sattelites the
Committce-Men, the truest, though absurdcst,
tyrants, that any country ever had cause to
complain of, - - ... .
, Letter from Colonel Adam Stephen to Richard
Henry Lee, ---...
Letter from Boston, to a Gentleman in Philadel-
phia. The report that the Gluakcrs in Boston
opened their Shops, on the day of Publick
Thanksgiving, is without foundation, and pro-
pagated for the most vile and malevolent pur-
poses, ---....
Letter from Governour Franklin to the Earl of
Dartmouth. Had hopes that the Assembly
would not approve the Proceedings of the
General Congress; but, by the artful manage-
ment of those who espoused the measure, it
was carried through the morning it was pro-
posed,
1192
- 1194
1194
- 1698
1201
1202
1775.
Feb. 2,
1202
1203
1203
- 1203
- 1204
- 1208
1208
1209
1210
- 1697
Declaration of sundry Inhabitants of Ridgebury,
in the Town of Ridgefield, that, at the Meeting
on the 30th of January, they did not vote with
the majority against adopting the Association
of the Continental Congress, - - - 12lt)
4, Letter from London, to a Gentleman in Philadel-
phia. Does not know how soon communica-
tion with the Colonies may be cut off by hos-
tilities. The Americans have many enemies
in England, ...... 121 1
4, Letter from Philadelphia, to James Rivington,
New- York. May assure his readers that Mr.
Dickinson has declared that " he was really
alarmed at the proceedings of the Committee. '
He formerly took the lead ; at the late Provin-
cial Congress he did not speak at all. In spite
of the arts of the fiery Republicans, Associa-
tions are concerting to counteract the authority
of unconstitutional Congresses and Committees
of all sorts, 1211
4, Address to the Americans. It is the duty and the
interest of the People to of5<;r terms of reconci-
liation to the Parent State. The Congress have
adopted such irritating measures, as disqualify
them for offering terms of accommodation, - 1211
Q, Meeting of the Freeholders of Lancaster County,
Virginia. Committee to carry into effect the
American Association, elected. Delegates to
the Convention appointed and instructed, - 1213
6, Letter received in New- York, from London. —
Nothing can be more false than the represent-
ations of hostile intentions against America,
formed by the present Administration. The
Americans should make the first advances to-
wards a reconciliation. A Petition from the
Assemblies will be attended with success, if
their claims are accurately limited and defined, 1214
6, Letter from Philadelphia, to a Gentleman in
New- York. A faithful adherence to the As-
sociation in New- York, will go far to remove
the infamy which will fall upon that Province,
whose defection may tend to defeat the virtu-
ous struggles in which we are engaged, - 1215
6, Meeting of the Freemen and Inhabitants of New-
towTi, in Connecticut. Refuse to adopt or con-
form to the Association, and protest against the
Continental Congress, and their measures, as
unconstitutional, and tending to licentiousness, 1215
6, Town Meeting at Danbury, in Connecticut. —
Refuse to appoint Delegates to meet the Coun-
ty Congress, to be held at Fairfield, on the 1 4th
instant, and rescind the vote appointing a Com-
mittee of Inspection, - - - - 1216
6, Handbill distributed through Boston. Let us
seize our seducers, make peace with the Mo-
ther Country, and save ourselves, - - 1216
6, Letter from Boston, to a Gentleman in Philadel-
phia. The Tories are perpetually holding up
to view the terrifick consequences of Treason
and Rebellion ; but they bellow to the winds.
So generally are the principles of Liberty dis-
seminated among the People, that nothing but
Arms can suppress it, - - - - 1216
7, Proceedings of the Committee of Obser^iition for
the Borough of Norfolk, in Virginia, on a
complaint against Dr. Gordon, ... 1217
7, Address presented to General Gage, from Six
Towns in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1218
6, Meeting of the Merchants, Traders, and others,
in London, concerned in the American Com-
merce. Report of the Committee appointed to
present the second Petition to the House of
Commons, ...... i219
7, Meeting of the Merchants, Traders, and others,
in London, concerned in American Commerce.
Report of the Committee appointed to present
the Petition to the House of Lords, - - 1220
8, Address of the Merchants, Traders, and Manufac-
turers, of Birmingham, concerned in the Trade
to America, to Mr. Edmund Burke, - - 1221
8, Meeting of the Committee for Westmoreland
County, Virginia. Pedlars required to pro-
duce proof to the Committee that their Goods
were imported before the 1st of February, - 1222
8, Letter from Doctor John Connolly to Colonel
George Washington. Wishes to nave informa-
tion how he is to proceed with the Mingoe
Prisoners, ...... 1222
XCIII
1775.
Feb. 9,
CONTENTS.
3ECIV
Meeting of the Conunittee of Correspondence of
Brentwood, in New-Hampshire. Will abide
by the advice of the Continental Congress.
Pedlars not permitted to sell, and persons who
trade with them, or entertain them, to be treated
as enemies to the Country, - - - 1222
10, Committee of Portsmouth, New- Hampshire, for
carrying the Association of the Continental
Congress into execution, discountenance Ga-
ming, 1223
10, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Virginia.
Parliament have declared Massachusetts in re-
bellion. Americans must now look firmly
forward. Submission and Chains, or. Resist-
ance and Liberty, is the alternative, - - 1223
10, Letter from London to a Gentleman in New-
York. Determination of the King, and pre-
parations in England, to make the Colonies
submit, 1224
10, Letter from London to a Gentleman in New-
York. All hopes of conciliation between
England and her Colonies, are entirely at an
aid. The King and Parliament have pro-
nounced their destruction. Fleets and Armies
are preparing with the utmost diligence for
that purpose, ...... 1225
10, Information received at Williamsburg, from the
Indian Frontiers, and from Pittsburgh, - 1226
10, Premiums offered by the Committee of Bedford,
in Pennsylvania, for the encouragement of In-
du.stry and Manufactures, .... 1226
10, Address of the Grand Jury to his Majesty's Jus-
tices, assembled at the General Quarter Ses-
sions of the Peace, for the City and County of
New- York, 1227
10, Letter from Connecticut to Mr. Rivington. A
Presbyterian Minister, near North- Haven, has
declared he had practised the Military Exercise,
with the intention of going to Boston against
the King's Troops, 1227
10, Letter from Massachusetts to a Gentleman in
London, - - 1227
11, Letter from the Committee of Correspondence for
Bedford County, Pennsylvania, to Joseph Read.
Approve of the Resolves of the Convention,
and bound by them, .-..■« 1229
1 1, The Royal Standard erected on a mast seventy-
five feet high, at Shawangunk, in Ulster Coun-
ty, New- York, by a respectable number of his
Majesty's loyal Subjects - . . . 1230
11, Letter from Kent County, in Delaware, published
in the Pennsylvania Ledger, - - - 1230
Letter from the Committee for Kent County, Del-
aware, February 15, to the Committee of Cor-
respondence for Philadelphia, in relation to the
Letter published in the Ledger, of the 1 1th in-
stant, 1231
Letter from Philadelphia to Mr. Rivington, Feb-
ruary 16. Tyranny of the Committee — they
are aiming at a general Revolution, and pro-
mote every measure to overthrow the Consti-
tution, 1231
Letter from Philadelphia to a Gentleman in New-
York, February 20, Proceedings in regard
to the Letter said to be from Kent County, in
Delaware, 1233
13, Thanks of the Common Council of London to
Lord Chatham, for offering his Plan for con-
ciliating the differences between Great Britain
and the Colonies, .....
Answer of Lord Chatham to the Common Coun-
cil of London, .....
13, Letter from London. Nothing will move the
King and his Ministers, but absolute submis-
sion or a successful resistance. The Ministry
affect to believe there will be no resistance,
and assure themselves of the defection of New.
York,
13, Committee of Elizabethtown, in New- Jersey, di-
rect the suspension of all Trade and Inter-
course whatsoever, with Staton Island, in New-
York,
1 4, Meeting of the Committee of York County, Penn-
sylvania. Recommend the collection and pre-
servation of Gunpowder; encourage Military
Associations; direct the transmission of Con-
tributions to Boston ; and appoint Delegates to
the next Convention, . . , , 1235
1235
1236
1236
1239
1239
1233
1233
- 1234
- 1234
1775.
Jt!& 14, Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of the City and County of Burlington, in New-
Jersey. Association of the General American
Congress, read and approved, and Committee
of Observation appointed, ....
14, Two Inhabitants of Ridgofield not permitted to
remain for the night in Wethersfield, but sent
back to Ridgefield, under an escort,
14, Resolutions adopted at a Meeting of the Delegates
from the several Toutis in the County of Fair-
field, in Connecticut, ....
Association of the Liberty Men of Ridgebury, in
Fairfield County, Connecticut, ...
14, Letter from Samuel Adams to Arthur Lee,
15, Meeting of the Committee of Observation for the
Township of Hanover, Morris County, New-
Jersey. Will enforce and comply with every
Article of the Association of the General Con-
tinental Congress; will have no dealings with
James Rivington, and will discountenance any
Post-Rider, or Carrier, who shall bring his
Pamphlets or Paper into the County, - 1240
16, The Governour of Pennsylvania presents to the
Council the complaint of Mr. Waterhouse, In-
spector of his Majesty's Customs, that the Ma-
gistrates and Sheriff of Chester County had
refused their aid in preventing the rescue of a
Vessel seized on the Delaware, with contra-
band Goods, - - - - - - 1241
Letter from Francis Welch, a Tide- Waiter, dated
February 8th, communicating a statement of
the facts in the case complained of by Mr.
Waterhouse, ...... 1241
•i^'he Council are of opinion the Magistrates and
'SiA - Sheriff could not legally afibrd the assistance
that was required of them, - - 1242
16, Letter from the Committee of Correspondence of
Philadelphia, to the Committee of Correspond-
ence of New- York. The frequent publica-
tions in New- York, of dissensions in Philadel-
phia, are false representations. The Commit-
tee have not met with the least impedunent in
carrying into execution the Association. The
Inhabitants of Pennsylvania continue immove-
ably firm to the cause of Liberty, and will, \vith
inviolable faith, observe the conduct prescribed
by the Continental Congress, ...
16, A Ship at New- York, from Glasgow, with a
cargo of Dry Goods, which did not arrive
within the time prescribed in the Association,
not permitted to land her cargo,
17, Letter from Adam Stephen to Richard Henry
Lee, - - - - - -
17, Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. The King's Speech has cast a damp
upon the Faction ; but they still entertain hopes
that the Resolves of Congress will work in
their favour. The loyalty in the New- York
Assembly has had a very good effect, and it is
said they are changing their sentiments at Phil-
adelphia, ......
17, Meeting of the Freeholders of the Tovm of Ply-
mouth, in New-Hampshire. Instructions to
John Fenton, Representative of the Town in
the Assembly, . , . - .
17, Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth, ...----
18, Meeting of the Committee of Cumberland Cotm-
ty, Virginia. Premium for the manufacture of
Gunpowder, ...---
Address of the Committee of Cumberland County,
to the Delegates who represented Virginia in
tlie late Continental Congress, ...
19, Letter from Boston, to a Gentleman in New-
York. The Provincial Congress, distracted
and divided in opinion, separated without do-
ing any thing more than is in their published
Resolves ; the principal object of their meeting
was to cajole the men of property, but no im-
pression could be made on them. Their dupes
drop from them very fast, and it is expected the
few Demagogues will soon be left alone,
20, Meeting of the Freeholders of Hanover County,
Virginia. Delegates to the Convention chosen,
andlnstructed to consent to the imposition of
any Tax the Convention may judge proper for
defraying the expense of any measure neces-
sarily adopted for securing American Liberty,
1243
1243
1244
- 1244
1245
1708
1247
1247
- 1248
1248
xcv
1775.
JrtJi.20,
CONTENTS.
XCVI
20,
20,
20,
20.
21,
21.
22.
22.
1249
- 1249
1249
1250
1251
1251
1251
1709
1252
1252
Meeting of the Committee of Observation for the
Township of Woodbridge, in New-Jers'y.
Suspend ail Trade and intercourse with the
Inhabitants of Staten Island, except such of
ihem as have openly approved the Association,
20, TowTi Meeting at Marshlield, in Massachusetts.
Refuse to adopt the Resolves and Recommend-
ations of the Continental or Provincial Con-
gresses, or any illegal assemblies whatsoever.
Vote the Thanks of the Town to General
Gage and Admiral Graves for theix assistance
and protection, - - " , T, ■"
Protest of sixty-four of the Inhabitants of Marsh-
field, against the Proceedmgs of the Town
Meeting held tliere on the 20th of February,
Address of the Inhabitants of Marshfield, assem-
bled in Towni Meeting, to General Gage,
Answer to the Address, - - -
Address of the Inhabitants of Marshfield, assem-
bled in Town Meeting, to Admiral Graves,
Answer of Admiral Graves, - " "
Letter from Governour Gage to the Earl of
Dartmouth, ------
Letter from Joseph Warren to Arthur Lee,
Resolutions adopted at a Court of Common
Council, held at Guildhall, in London. The
Americans are justified in their opposition to
the late Acts of Parliament affecting the Colo-
nies, . - - - - '. e
Proclamation of the Governour of Georgia, of-
fermg a reward to any person who will give
information against one or more of the persons
%vho rescued certain Goods seized by the Cus-
tom House Officers at Savannah, and tarred
and feathered a Tide-Waiter, - - - 1253
Meeting of the Freeholders of Augusta County,
Virginia. Delegates to the Convention chos-
en. Instructions to the Delegates, - -1253
Address of the Freeholders of Augusta County,
to the Delegates from Virginia, in the late
Continental Congress, .... 1255
Answer to the Address, .... 1255
Address of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of
the County of Botetourt, to the Delegates from
Virginia in the late Continental Congress, - 1255
22, Plan of an American Manufactory, - - 1256
23, Pilots at New- York ordered not to bring up
the Ship Beulah, and Sub-Committee of Ob-
servation appointed to observe her conduct
Soon as she receives Supplies, is to be de-
spatched without being permitted to enter the
Harbour, 1257
23, Proceedings at a meeting of the Coinmittees of
Observation of several Towns in Suffolk
County, New- York, .... 1257
23. Association signed by one hundred and forty-one
Freeholders and Inhabitants of the To^vn of
Reading, in Fairfield County, Connecticut
Will defend, maintain, and preserve, at the
risk of their lives and properties, the preroga-
tive of the Crown, and the privileges of the
Subject, from all attacks of any rebellious body
of Men, and any Conmiittees of Inspection, or
Correspondence, . . - . . 1258
Names of seventy-four of the signers of the As-
sociation, published by order of the Committee
of Observation, for the Town of Reading, - 1259
List of all the Signers to the Reading Associa-
tion, communicated to Mr. Ri\'ington, by John
Lyon, one of the subscribers, ... 1260
23, Address to the Provincial Congress of Mas-
sachusetts. Enumeration of some of the in-
stances of cruelties, insults, and indignities
inflicted on the quiet and peaceable Subjects of
the King, in Massachusetts, ... 1260
22, Instructions of General Gage to Captain Brown
and Ensign DBemicre, to go through the
Counties of Suffolk and Worcester, and make
sketches of the Roads, Rivers, Towns, and
places for Encampment, and to ascertain, what
Forage and Pro\isions the Counties could sup-
ply, 1263
Narrative of Ensign DBemicre of the Examina-
tion of the Coimtry, under General Gage's In-
structions, ...... 1263
26, Regiment of British Troops under the command
of Colonel Leslie, land at Marblehead, and
march to Salem, 1268
- 12G9
1269
27.
Jan.il, Goods, under the Tenth Article of the Association,
thrown overboard at Cliarlestown, by order
of the Committee of Observation,
27 Philadelphia Committee. Recommend the total
disuse of East India Tea, in compliance A\ith
the Third Article of the Association,
Meeting of a number of the Freeholders and In-
habitonlsof the Townof New-Milford, in Litch-
field County, Connecticut Protest against
the Towi of New-Milford's adopting the Re-
solves of the Continental Congress. Acknow-
ledge the King and Parliament as the Consti-
tutional Government over every part of the
British Empire, . . . -
Letter from Philadelphia, to a Gentleman in
New- York. A motion in the Assembly, to
petition the I^ng, strenuously opposed. Mr.
Dickinson acquired fresh laurels in the De-
bate. The motion will be rejected by a great
majority, ....
Letter from Philadelphia to Mr. Rivington. The
opposition to the Congress has done some good
in the Assembly. Should the Assembly agree
to petition, it will be done in a very dutiful style, 1270
27,
28,
1270
- 1270
1271
COUNCIL OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Jan.25, The Governour submits information of further
violences committed by the People of Virginia,
in Westmoreland, 1271
Letter from Robert Haima to the Governour.
Attack on the Jail of Westmoreland County
by the Militia and People of Virginia,
8, Letter from John Carnaghan to Governour Penn,
with four Depositions respecting the attack on
the Jail of Westmoreland County, - - 1271
13, Letter from Robert Hanna, and others, to Gov-
ernour Penn, on the same subject, - - 1273
14, Letter from Devereux Smith to Governour Penn.
Complains of the proceedings of the Virgi-
nians, and encloses Depositions, ...
March Letter from Governour Penn to Lord Dunmore.
1 , Remonstrates against his proceedings in relation
to Westmoreland County. Will forbear to
take any steps in the affair fill he has an an-
swer to this Letter, which he expects by the
return of the Express, ....
1274
1276
PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLY.
FcJ.20, The House met pursuant to their adjournment.
Speaker communicated a Letter from the Speaker
of House of Assembly of New-Jersey, with
Resolves, approving the Proceedings of the
Continental Congress, ....
Instructions to the Delegates to the Continental
Congress considered, ....
Message from the Governour, recommending a
Petition to the King for the redress of any
Grievances which the People apprehend they
have reason to complain of, ...
The Governour's Message considered.
Further considered and postponed,
Consideration will be resumed on the 8th of
March next, ......
March Motion that the Doors be opened on the 8th, for
21,
23,
24,
25,
4,
7,
9.
13.
15,
the Inhabitants to hear the Debates,
Message from the Governour, requesting pro'vi-
sion to be made for a number of Indians, re-
cently arrived at Pliiladelphia,
Representation and Petition from the American
Philosophical Society, . . . .
Consideration of the Governour's Message re-
sumed, and Committee appointed to prepare an
Answer, ......
Answer to Governour's Message considered,
Motion to Recommit rejected, . . .
Ordered to be Transcribed and sent to the Gov-
1275
1273
1277
1277
1277
1277
1277
1278
- 1278
1278
1280
1280
1280
ernour, . . -
Answer of the House to
sage.
the Governour's Mes-
- 1280
1280
The Speaker laid before the House a Letter,
datetl the 24th of December last, from William
Bollan, Benjamin Franklin, and Arthur Lee,
William Morton chosen Speaker in place of Ed-
ward Biddle, who is prevented, by sickness,
from attending the House, ...
Adjourned to the first of May next,
1281
1282
1282
XCVll
1775.
CONTENTS.
XCVIII
1775.
NEW-YORK ASSEMBLY.
/ftw.lO, Meeting of the Assembly, . - - -
13, Speech of Lieutenant Governour Golden to the
Council and Assembly- Advises them to peti-
tion the King for redress of Grievances,
Committee appointed to prepare an Address, in
answer to the Speech, ...
Consideration of the Speech referred to a Com-
mittee of the Whole House,
Committee appointed to correspond with Ed-
mund Burke, Agent of this Colony at the
Court of Great Britain, laid before the House
several Letters received from him,
17, The Speaker, from the Committee of Corres-
pondence, laid before the House several Letters
and other Papers, ....
18, Address of the Council, in answer to the Lieu,
tenant Governour's Speech,
Answer to the Council, ....
20, Address of the Assembly, in answer to the
Lieutenant Governour's Speech,
Answer of the Lieutenant Grovernour,
26, Message from the Lieutenant Governour. Boim-
dary of New- York and Pennsylvania,
Motion by Colonel Ten Broeck, that the House
take into consideration the Proceedings of the
Continental Congress, ...
Colonel Philips's motion for the Previous Ques-
tion, .......
Message from the Lieutenant Governour,
The Speaker laid before the House a Letter from
ihe Speaker of the Assembly of New- Jersey,
enclosing simdry Resolutions passed by that
House,
On the motion of Colonel Livingston, the House
agreed to take into consideration the state of
the Colony ; to enter such Resolutions as they
may agree to on their Journals, and to prepare
a Petition to the King, ...
On motion of Mr. De Lancey, the House agreed
to send with the Petition to his Majesty, a Me-
morial to the House of Lords, and a Repre-
sentation and Remonstrance to the Commons,
Committee appointed to prepare a state of the
Grievances of the Colony,
Ftb. 2, House in Committee on the Lieutenant Govern-
our's Speech, ......
7, Message from the Lieutenemt Governour,
Speech further considered in Committee,
16, Colonel Schuyler's motion that certain Letters
be published ; Rejected, ....
1 7, Colonel Woodhull's motion for a Vote of Thanks
to the Delegates from New- York in the late
Continental Congress ; Rejected,
21, Colonel P. Livingston's motion for a Vote of
Thanks to the Merchants and Inhabitants for
their firm adherence to the Association of the
Grand Continental Congress; Rejected,
23, Report from the Committee to prepare a state of
the Grievances, referred to a Committee of the
Whole House, ....
Mr. Thomas's motion for taking into considera-
tion the necessity of appointing Delegates to
meet the General Congress on the 10th of
May next ; Rejected, . . . .
Speech of Mr. Brush, of Cumberland County, on
this question, ......
Speech of Mr. Wilkins, of Westchester County,
March The House in Committee on the state of Griev-
27,
28,
31,
1281
1283
- 1283
- 1283
- 1283
- 1284
1284
1285
1285
1286
- 1286
- 1286
1287
1287
1287
- 1288
1288
- 1288
1288
1288
1289
1289
- 1289
- 1290
- 1290
1290
1290
1293
March, Resolutions of the Committee of the Whole, pro-
1
16,
23,
24,
25,
28,
31,
31,
1304
1307
- 1308
1309
1312
1813
1313
1316
1318
1321
1321
- 1321
1322
1323
1323
1324
1324
9,
11,
13,
ances of the Colony, .... 1297
State of Grievances further considered in Com-
mittee,
Proceedings and Votes on the Report on the
Grievances of the Colony,
Committee appointed to prepare a set of Resolu-
tions agreeable to Colonel P. Livingston's mo-
tion of January 31, .....
Report of the Committee ; Resolutions agreed to, 1302
Committees appointed to prepare a Petition to the
King, a Memorial to the Lords, and a Repre-
sentation and Remonstrance to the Commons,
Letter from Edmund Burke, laid before the House
by the Committee, .....
Letter from William BoUan, Benjamin Franklin,
and Arthur Lee, dated December 24, laid be-
fore the House by the Speaker, ...
Message from the Lieutenant Governour,
Fourth Series.
- 1297
- 1297
1302
1303
1304
1304
1304
viding for the support of the Government in
the Colony for the year, ....
Petition, Memorial, and Remonstrance, reported,
Message from the Lieutenant Governour. Dis-
turbances in Cumberland County,
Proceedings and Votes on the Petition to the
King,
Votes on the Memorial to the House of Lords,
Proceedings on the Representation and Remon-
strance to the House of Commons,
The humble Petition of the General Assembly of
the Colony of New- York, to the King,
The Memorial of his Majesty's faithful Subjects
the Representatives of the Colony of New-
York, in General Assembly convened, to the
House of Lords, .....
The Representation and Remonstrance of the
General Assembly of the Colony of New-
York to the House of Commons,
The Petition, Memorial, and Remonstrance, di-
rected to be forwarded with all convenient speed
to Edmund Burke, .....
Message from the Lieutenant Governour,
Proceedings and Votes in regard to the Cum-
berland Riots, - - - .
The Speaker directed to transmit to the Speakers
of the several Houses of Assembly, on the
Continent, copies of the List of Grievances,
and the Resolutions thereof, in consequence ;
and the Petition, Memorial, and Remonstrance,
Proceedings and Votes in relation to Riots in Al-
bany and Charlotte Counties, ...
Reward for the apprehension of Ethan Allen,
Seth Warner, and others, ....
Apr. 1, Committee of Correspondence appointed,
3, Adjourned to May 3,
PROVINCIAL CONGRESS OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Feb. 1, List of the Members, 1323
John Hancock chosen President, ... i328
Committee to take into consideration the state and
circumstances of the Province, ... 1328
The Reverend Dr. Appleton appointed Chaplain, 1328
Monitors appointed, ..... 1328
Committee appointed to consider the Resolutions
of several Committees respecting the working
of the Inhabitants of Boston for the Troops,
Debates and Resolutions of the Congress to be
kept secret, ......
Committee to publish in a Pamphlet some of the
doings of the late Congress,
Committee to prepare an Address to the Inhabit-
ants of the Province,
Delegates to the Congress in May next, to con-
tinue to the 31st day of December, and no
longer,
Troop of Horse raised by John Sawyer and
others, of Rowley, - . .
The Secretary empowered to adjourn the Con-
gress in the absence of the President, -
Inhabitants recommended not to supply the
Troops with any thing that may enable them
to annoy the People; all who do so to be
deemed inveterate enemies to America,
Address to the Inhabitants reported, considered,
and recommitted,
Again reported, considered, and recommitted.
Committee to prepare a Resolution recommend-
ing the saving of Linen Rags, . - -
Committee of Safety appointed, with power to
muster as many of the Militia of the Province
as they shall deem proper, completely armed
and accoutred, to oppose any attempt that may
be made to carry into execution the late Acts
of Parliament, ...
General Officers appointed to act imder the au-
thority of the Committee of Safety,
A number of Letters, said to be from England,
read and referred to the Committee on the state
of the Province, - - - - -
Address to the Inhabitants of the Province, again
reported, amended, and agreed to.
Address from the Committee of Correspondence
of Scituate, in relation to a number of British
Troops now stationed in Marshfield, read and
referred, ....
2,
3,
4.
6,
7,
9,
1328
1329
- 1329
it-
- 1329
1329
- 1329
1329
1330
1330
1330
1330
- 1332
1332
1332
- 1332
- 1334
%
CONTENTS.
xcix
1775.
Feb. 9, Committee to bring in a Resolve empowering
the Committee of Safety to take possession of
the Warlike Stores of the Province,
Committee to bring in a Resolve directing how
the Ordnance in the Province shall be used,
Committee to make a return of the Officers and
number of the Militia, and Minute Men, to
report, as soon as possible.
Committee to prepare for publication the Names
of the Mandamus Counsellors who have refused
to resign, ...---
Inhabitants of the Province requested to preserve
all their Linen and Cotton Rags, to aid an Es-
tablishment for making Paper, - - -
10, Committee to observe the motion of the Troops
said to be on their road to Cambridge,
Committee to sit in the recess of the Congress,
with power to regulate the Constitutional Army
wiiich may be raised in the Province,
Committee to revise the Commission of the Com-
mittee of Safety, ' ' ' ' 'r
The Secretary directed to publish the Names of
the Mandamus Counsellors now in Boston,
Petition from the Delegatesof the several Tow-ns
in the Counties of Hampshire and Berkshire,
11, Committee of Siifety authorized to appoint a
Commissary to deliver Warlike Stores to
the Constitutional Army when they take the
field, ..-'.---
Committee of Safety requested to possess them-
selves of all Bayonets and other implements of
war, purchased at the expense of the Province,
and not now in their possession, -
Committee appointed to report a Resolve, ex-
pressing the determination of the People, coolly
and resolutely, to support their Rights and Pri-
vileges, at all hazards,
1 3, Committee appointed to inquire into the state of
the Militia, .....
Committee to inquire what is necessary to en
courage the making of Saltpetre,
14, Report of the Committee on the state of the Mi-
litia, - -
15, Committee of Correspondence of Boston directed
to open and establish an intimate correspond-
ence and connection with the Inhabitants of
Q,uebeck, ....--
Resolutions for the encouragement of the manu-
facture of Saltpetre in the Province,
Conunittee to bring in a Resolve holding up to
the People the imminent danger they are in
from the present disposition of the British Min-
istry, .......
Inhabitants of the Province requested not to trade
with Pedlars, .-.--.
John Whitcomb elected a General Officer,
Militia and Minute Men earnestly requested to
spare neither time, pains, nor expense, in per-
fecting themselves, forthwith, in Military Dis-
cipline, ..-...-
Conduct of the Committees of Correspondence
of Plymouth, and other Towns, approved, -
Conference with a Committee from Connecticut,
IG, Committee appointed to correspond with the
neighbouring Governments,
Day of Fasting and Prayer throughout the Prov-
ince appointed, - - - - - 1 342
Injunction of Secrecy on the Members removed, 1343
Adjourned to March 22d, to meet at Concord, - 1343
March Met conformable to adjournment, and the Rev.
- 1334
1334
- 1334
1334
1334
- 1334
1335
1335
1335
1336
1337
- 1337
- 1337
- 1337
- 1337
1338
1339
- 1339
1339
1340
1340
1340
1341
1341
- 1342
1775.
March
30,
April
I,
3,
6,
6,
22,
■24,
27,
28.
29,
30,
Mr. Emerson appointed Chaplain, - - 1343
Debates and Resolutions to be kept an entire
secret,
Committee to receive the Returns of the Officers
of the Militia, .....
Any relaxation in putting the Colony in a com-
plete state of Defence will be attended \vith the
-r.'. utmost danger to the Liberties of the Colony,
and of all America,
Rules and Regulations for a Constitutional Army
reported, ......
Considered and recommitted, ...
Consideration resumed; recommitted for addi-
tions, -.--...
Report from Committee on the state of the Prov-
ince relative to what movement of the Troops
should make it fit to call the Militia together
to act on the defensive, .... 1345
1344
1344
1344
1345
1345
1345
7,
10,
11,
12,
13,
On notice for assembling the Forces of the Col-
ony, the Members of this Congress to repair
without delay to the place to which they shall
be adjourned, ...--- 1345
Committees to sit immediately, that the Congress
may adjourn to-morrow, ... - 1345
Mandamus Counsellors who have refused to pub-
lish a renunciation of their Commissions, - 1346
Report of Committee appointed to receive Returns
from the several Colonies, recommitted, - 1346
Constables and Collectors required to pay Pub-
lick Moneys immediately to the Receiver Gen-
eral, 1346
Committee appointed to prepare Rules for the
Provincial Army, report. Report passed, and
afterwards recommitted, .... 1347
Address to the Stockbridge Indians who have en-
listed as Minute Men, .... 1347
The Towns and Districts requested to choose
Delegates to a Provincial Congress, to meet
on the last Wednesday of May, if Precepts are
not issued by General Gage, calling a General
Assembly to meet on that day, ... 1348
Committee on the state of the Province to col-
lect the late intelligence from Great Britain,
relative to sending reinforcements to General
Gage, and report to the Congress what is best
to be done, ...... 1348
Immediate attendance of all absent Members re-
quired, ....--- 1348
Letter to the Reverend Mr. Kirkland, with an Ad-
dress to the Mohawks, .... 1349
Rules and Regulations for the Massachusetts
Army, - - 1350
Committee on the application of the Committee
from Boston, and others, report that the Papers
lie for further consideration at some future
day, 1356
Letter to the Committee of Inspection of the
County of Bristol, advising them to keep the
Militia, and especially the Minute Men, in the
best posture of defence ; but that they act on the
defensive only, until the further direction of the
Provincial Congress, .... 1356
Application from Billerica, and from the Com-
mittee of Boston, again committed, - - 1357
Conference with Governour Hopkins, on the pre-
sent state of Pubiick Affairs, ... 1357
Letter to the Selectmen of Billerica. Approve
their conduct in relation to the assault on
Thomas Ditson, 1357
Letter to the Committee of Correspondence for
Boston and other Towns. Request that the
Militia and Minute Men act only on the defen-
sive, until the further order of the Provincial
Congress, ...... 1357
Committee on the state of the Province report
relative to raising and establishing an Army ;
and that Committees repair to Connecticut,
Rhode-Island, and New-Hampshire, to desire
their co-operation, ..... 1358
Conmiittec to draught a Letter to each of the Col-
onies, ....... 135S
Committee to consider what number of Men
should be raised by the four New-England
Governments, for their general defence, - 1358
Letter to the Colonies of Connecticut, Rhode-
Island, and New- Hampshire, - - - 1 359
Instructions to the Delegates appointed to repair
to the neighbouring Governments, - - 1359
Committee to take into consideration the particu-
lar state of the Town of Boston, appointed, after
a long debate on the propriety of advising the
Inhabitants to be moved from thence, - - 1360
County Committees appointed to report a true state
of their respective Towns and Districts, with
respect to their having observed the Resolu-
tions of the Continental and Provincial Con-
gresses, .....-- 1361
Report of the Committee on the state of the Prov-
ince, relative to exercising the Minute Men in
Battalions, and paying them for the time they
spend in that service ; after long debate, re-
jected, 1361
Committee of Safety directed to form six Compa-
nies of Artillery, to be in readiness to enter the
service of the Colony when the Army shall be
raised, 1362
CI
1-75.
April Report from the Committee to consider the pro
13, priety of removing the Inhabitants from Bos-
ton; after long debate, recommitted, - - 1362
1 4, Committee of Donations of Boston recommended to
afford to any poor persons desirous of removing
from Boston, such assistance as may enable
them to do it, 1362
Committee of Safety directed to apply to a suit-
able number of persons to be in readiness to
enter the service of the Colony as Field Offi-
cers, when an Army shall be raised, - - 1363
15, Day of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer, ap-
pointed, .-.--.- 1363
The Members, on their return to their respective
Towns, ordered to use their influence to pro-
mote the Military Discipline, ... 1364
Adjourn to Wednesday, the 10th of May next, to
me«t at Concord, ..... 1364
CONTENTS.
CII
1775.
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF MASSACHUSETTS.
1774.
Nov. 2, Committee of Supplies requested to procure and
deposits Provisions at Worcester and Con-
cord, 1365
8, Committee of Supplies requested to procure all
the Arms and Ammunition they can, in the
neighbouring Provinces on the Continent, - 1365
15, Committee to get seven large pieces of Cannon out
of Boston, to some place in the country, in
such manner as they may think most prudent, 1365
Vec. Committee of Supplies to procure certain Mihtary
20, Stores, 1366
Committee to examine the Commissary's Store in
Boston, and report what Surgeons' Stores, and
Stores of other kinds, are there, - - 1366
1775.
Jan. 5, Eteacon Cheever authorized to receive Cannon
and Mortars, -.--.- 1366
25, All the Cannon, Mortars, Cannon Ball, and Shells,
to be deposited in Worcester and Concord, in
the same proportion as the Provisions, - 1366
Feb. 3, Committee of Supplies directed to report to the
Provincial Congress their transactions since
their appointment, . . - . . 1367
13, Committee of Supplies desired to purchase all
the Powder they can, ... - 1367
Committee to receive from Colonel Robinson four
brass Field-Pieces, and four brass Mortars,
which, in case of a rupture with the Troops,
shall be for the use of the Artillery Companies
of Boston and Dorchester, ... 1367
21, Committee of Supplies directed to procure tea
tons of Brimstone, and all kinds of Warlike
Stores, sufficient for an Army of fifteen thou-
sand Men to take the field, ... 1357
The Powder now at Concord, to be removed to
Leicester, 1368
22, Committee of Supplies directed to procure one
hundred Bell Tents for Arms, one thousand
Field Tents for Soldiers, ten tons of Lead Balls,
and to have thirty rounds of Cartridges for fif-
teen thousand Men, made, ... 1368
On arrival of more Troops, the Province Arms,
at Cambridge, to be removed to Worcester, 1368
On intelligence of the arrival of more Troops, the
Provincial Congress to be assembled imme-
diately, 1368
23, Committee to direct the Commanding Officers of
the Militia and the Minute Men, throughout
die Province, to assemble one fourth part of the
Militia forthwith, 1368
24, Hospital Stores to be procured and sent to Con-
cord, 1369
March Receiver General to pay to Doctor Warren and
7, Doctor Church, five hundred Pounds, for the
purchase of such articles for the Provincial
Chests of Medicine, as cannot be got on credit, 1370
14, Watch to be constantly kept at the places where
the Provincial Magazines are stored, - - ] 370
Watch to be kept at Charlestown, Cambridge,
and Roxbury, and Couriers to be forwarded to
the Towns where the Magazines are placed,
when sallies are made from the Army by night, 1370
23, Ton of Musket Bullets now arrived at Concord,
to be lodged with Colonel Barrett, - . 1370
April The Stores at Concord and elsewhere, not to be
1, removed without written orders from the Com-
mittee of Safety, 1370
Considerations on the Measures carrying on with
respect to the British Colonies in North Ame-
rica, 1369
Address of the People of Great Britain to the
Inhabitants of America, - . . - 1413
Taxation no Tyranny. An Answer to the Re-
solutions and Address of the American Con-
gress,
- 1431
An Answer to a Pamphlet, entitled " Taxation no
Tyranny;" addressed to the Author, and to
persons in power, ..... 1449
PROCEEDINGS OF PARLIAMENT ON THE ADDRESS OF THANKS
TO THE KINO.
1774. Howe of Lords.
Nov.QQ, Meeting of the Fourteenth Parliament, - 1461
State of Parties in England in relation to Ame-
rica, (Note,) 1461
House of Commons required to attend immedi-
ately, 1461
Lord Chancellor's Speech to both Houses. Com-
mons directed to choose a Speaker, - - 1462
30, Sir Fletcher Norton presented to the King as
Speaker, by the House of Commons, - - 1464
Informed by the Lord Chancellor, that the King
approves the choice made by the Commons, - 1464
Address of the Speaker, claiming the Privileges
of the Commons, ..... 1464
Reply of the Lord Chancellor, in the name of the
King. Allows them all their Privileges, - 1465
King's Speech to both Houses. Informs them
that a most daring spirit of resistance and dis-
obedience to the law, still prevails in the Prov-
ince of the Massachusetts Bay, - - - 1465
Address of Thanks to the King, moved by the
Earl of Hillsborough, .... 1466
Amendment offered by the Duke of Richmond, 1466
Opposed by Lord Lyttelton, - - - 1 466
Supported by Lord Camden, - - 1467
Amendment rejected, .... 1467
Protest on rejection of the amendment, - 1467
Earl of Hillsborough's motion agreed to, - 1468
Committee to prepare the Address, - - 1468
Address reported and agreed to, - - - 1468
Dec. 1, Address presented to the King, at his Palace, at
St. James's, 1469
The King's Answer, ..... 1469
6, Address and Answer ordered to be published, - 1469
House of Commons.
iV(n).29,House formed, 1469
Sir Fletcher Norton chosen Speaker, - - 1470
Dec. 5, The King's Speech, reported to the House, by the
Speaker, 1471
Address of Thanks to the ffing, moved by Lord
Beauchamp, - - - - - -1471
Amendment offered by Lord John Cavendish, - 1472
Debate— Lord North, 1473
Mr. F. Montague, - - - - 1473
Go vernour Johnstone, ... 1473
Mr, Charles J. Fox, - - - 1473
Mr. Hartley, .... 1473
Colonel Barre, .... 1473
Sir George Macartney, ... 1473
Lord Carmarthen, .... I473
Sir William Mayne, - - - 1473
General Smith, - - - - 1473
Mr. T. Townshend, - - - 1474
Mr. Edmund Burke, - - - 1474
Mr. Van, 1474
Mr. Wedderburn, . - - - 1474
Amendment rejected, ..... I474
Lord Beauchamp's motion agreed to, - - 1474
Committee to draw up the Address, - - 1474
6, Address reported and agreed to, - - - 1474
7, Presented to the King, .... 1476
King's Answer to the Address, ... 1476
ON SUPPLIES FOR THE YEAR 1775.
House of Commons.
Dec. 7, The King's Speech considered, ... 1475
8, House in Committee on the motion to grant a
Supply to his Majesty, - - - - 1475
9, Committee of the Whole report that a Supply be
granted, 1476
12, House in Committee to consider of the Supply
granted to his Majesty, .... 1475
CONTENTS.
CIV
cm
1774
Dec. 1-2, Mr. Buller's motion that 16,000 Men be employ-
ed for the Sea Service, for the year 1775, - U76
Debate— Mr. T. TowTishcnd, - - - 1476
Mr. BuUer, '476
Mr. Lmtrell, }477
Colonel Barr6, ... - 1477
Mr. Hartley, - - - - 1477
Mr. Duller," - - - - 1477
Mr. Luttrell, {477
Mr. Buller's motion agreed to, ■ ' , , "
13, Resolutions reported from the Committee of the
Whole, for the employment and pay of 16,000
Seamen, and airreed to by the House, - 1477
Debate— Lord John Cavendish, - - " j478
Lord Beauchamp, - - - • \^'°
Mr. Cornwall, - - " ' }f;°
Mr. Burke, jf^°
Sir William Mayne, - - ' \%i
Mr. Hartley, - - - " j^'.S
Lord Beauchamp, • - - - 147 J
Lord John Cavendish, - • - 1479
Lord Beauchamp, - - - ■ J 479
Captain Luttrell, - - - " 1479
Mr. Rose Fuller, - - - * 14"9
16, House in Committee to consider further of the
Supply granted to his Majesty, - - - 1479
Lord Barrington's motion, that 17,547 Men,
Commission and Non-Commission Officers
included, be employed for the year 1775, - 1479
Debate— Mr. Rose Fuller, . - - - 1479
Lord Barrington, - - - - 1479
Mr. Fuller, 1479
Lord North, 1479
Mr. T. Tow-nshend, - - - 1479
Lord North, 1479
Go vernour Johnstone, - - - 1479
Mr. Fox, 1482
Lord Clare, 1482
Mr. Rigby, 1482
Mr. Cruger, 1482
Sir William Mayne, - - - 1484
Lord North, 1484
Mr. Hartley, .... 1484
Lord Barrington's motion agreed to, - - 1484
17, Resolutions reported from the Committee of the
Whole read and agreed to, ... 1484
19, Resolution for providing Ways and Means for
raising the Supply granted to his Majesty, re-
ported to the House from the Committee of the
Whole, 1485
Debate— Lord North, 1485
Mr. Hartley, .... 1485
Mr. Rose Fuller, .... I486
Mr. T. Townshend, - - - 1486
Mr. Rigby, 1486
Mr. Edmund Burke, - - - 1486
Sir William Meredith, - - - 1487
Mr. Burke, 1488
Mr. Cornwall, .... 1488
Resolution providing Ways and Means, agreed to, 1488
Inesolution of the Cabinet, (Note,) - - 1488
22, Parliament adjourned to the 19th day of January
next, 1488
1775.
ON THE BILL FOR SETTLING THE TROUBLES IN AMERICA.
House of Commons.
Feb. 1, Provisional Act for settling the Troubles in Ame-
rica, and for asserting the Supreme Legislative
authority and superintending power of Great
Britain over the Colonies, presented by Lord
Chatham, - 1503
Lord Chatham's Speech on presenting the Bill, 1503
Earl of Dartmouth's Reply, - - - - 1504
Bill read the first time, .... 1504
Objections to the Bill in America, (Note,) - 1505
Motion by the Earl of Sandwch " That the Bill
be rejected," 1507
Debate — Lord Lyttelton, .... 1507
Earl of Shelburne, - - - 1508
Duke of Grafton, - - - - 1508
Earl Gower, .... 1509
Lord Chatham, .... 1509
Earl Gower, - - - - 1510
Lord Camden, .... 1510
Earl of Chatham, ... - 1510
Earl Gower, - - - - 1511
Earl of Hillsborough, - - -1511
Duke of Richmond, - - - 1512
Duke of Manchester, - - - 1513
Earl Temple, - - - - 1513
Question on the motion of the Earl of Sandwich
taken, and the Bill rejected, ... 1514
List of the Minority, 1514
Jan.
19,
23,
ON LORD CHATHAM S MOTION TO RECALL THE TROOPS
FROM BOSTON.
1775. House of Lords.
Jan. Papers relating to the Disturbances in North
20, America, presented by the Earl of Dartmouth,
by his Majesty's command, ... 1489
Lord Chatham's motion to recall the Troops
from Boston, ...... 1498
Debate— Lord Chatham, .... 1493
Earl of Suffolk, .... 1498
Earl of Shelburne, - - - 1499
Lord Lyttelton, .... 1500
Lord Camden, - - - - 1501
Lord Chatham, - - - - 1501
Lord Townshend, .... 1502
Earl of Rochford, - - - - 1502
Earl Gower, - - - - 1502
Marquis of Rockingham, - - 1502
Duke of Richmond, - - - 1503
Earl of Rochford, • - - 1503
Lord Weymouth, .... 1504
Lord Chatham's motion rejected, ... 1504
List of the Minority, - - - - 1504
Energy of the Cabinet, (Note,) - - - 1499
24.
25,
ON THE PETITIONS RELATING TO AMERICA.
House of Commons.
Papers relating to the Disturbances in North
America, presented by Lord North, - - 1513
Lord North's Explanations relative to the Papers, 1513
Papers referred to a Committee of the Whole
House, . - . - -
Petition from the Merchants, Traders, and others,
of the City of London, concerned in the Com-
merce of North America, presented,
Mr. Alderman Hayley's motion, that the Petition
be referred to the Committee of the Whole
House, to whom the Papers from North Ame-
rica had been referred, ....
Sir William Meredith's motion to amend, so as to
refer to a separate Committee,
Debate — Mr. Burke,
Sir Gilbert Elliot, -
Mr. T. Townshend,
Lord Clare, ...
Mr. Fox, ...
Lord John Cavendish,
Lord North, -
Sir George Macartney,
Captain Luttrell,
Lord Stanley,
Motion to amend agreed to.
The Petition referred to a Committee of the
Whole House, .....
Petition of the Master, Wardens, and Commonalty
of the Society of Merchants and Venturers of
the City of Bristol, presented by Mr. Burke,
Motion to refer it to the Committtee of the Whole
House, to whom has been referred the Papers
from America, .....
Debate — Lord North,
Mr. Burke,
Lord North,
Governour Johnstone, ...
Motion amended, and the Petition referred to the
Committee of the Whole House, to whom the
Petition of the Merchants of London is referred,
Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and Manu-
facturers of the City of Bristol, presented by
Mr. Cruger, ......
Petition of the Merchants and Traders of the
City of Glasgow, presented, ...
Statements of the Value of Exports from Great
Britain to the Colonies, from 1772 to 1774, or-
dered to be laid before the House,
Petition of the Merchants, Manufacturers, and
Traders, and other Inhabitants of the City of
Norwich, presented.
Petition of the Merchants and Mantifacturers re-
siding in the Town and Neighbourhood of
Dudley, in the County of Worcester, present
- 1513
1513
1515
1515
1516
1516
1517
1517
1517
1517
1517
1517
1517
1518
1518
1519
1519
1520
1520
1520
1520
1520
1521
1521
1522
- 1522
- 1523
ed.
1523
3,
6.
ev CONTENTS.
1775.
Jan.25, Petition from the Inhabitants of the Town and
Neighbourhood of Birmingham, - - 1524
Sir George Savile offers to present a Petition
from Dr. Franklin, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Bollan,
requesting to be heard before the House, on the
Petition from the Congress to the King, - 1524
26, Stotemcnts of the Value of Exports and Imports
to and from North America, and the West In-
dies, from the year 17G2, ordered to be laid be-
fore the House, - - - - - 1 525
Second Petition from the Merchants, Traders,
and others, of the City of London, concerned
in the Commerce of North America, present-
ed by Alderman Hay ley, . . - . 1525
Motion, by Mr. Hayley, for discharging the Order
of Monday last, for referring the Petition of the
Merchants, and others, of London, to a Com-
mittee of the Whole House, ... 1526
Debate— Mr. Hayley, - - - -1526
Mr. Hotham, - - - - 1526
Mr. Hans Stanley, - - - 1526
Mr. Hayley, .... 1527
Mr. T. Tovvnshend, - - - 1527
Mr. Lewis, 1527
Mr. Jenkinson, .... 1527
Mr. Edmund Burke, . - • 1527
Mr. Fox, 1529
Colonel Barrd, - - - - 1529
Mr. Wedderburn, ... - 1529
Lord North, 1529
Lord George Germain, ... 1530
Mr. Fox, 1530
Lord North, 1530
Mr. Hayley's motion rejected, ... 1530
Petition referred to same Committee with the
others, 1530
Petition of the Merchants and Manufacturers of
the Town of Manchester, presented, - - 1530
Petition from the Merchants, Traders, and Manu-
facturers of Wolverhampton, in the County of
Stafford, presented, - - - - -1531
Petition of the Merchants and Tradesmen of the
Port of Liverpool, presented, - - - 1531
Petition of William Bollan, Benjamin Franklin,
and Arthur Lee, requesting they may be heard
at the Bar of the House, on the Petition from
America, offered by Sir George Savile, - 1532
Motion for receiving the Petition rejected, - 1532
Notice of the Debate on this Question, (Note,) 1532
House in Committee, on the American Papers, 1533
27, Statements of Exports from England to the Colo-
nies in North America, in 1773, presented, - 1533
Petition of sundry Merchants, Factors, and
Manufacturers, of Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, presented, .... 1533
House in Committee, on the Petition from the
Merchants, and others, of London, concerned
in the Commerce of North America, . - 1533
Reasons of the Merchants, for declining to be
heard at the Bar of the House, - - - 1534
House in Committee, on the American Papers, 1534
31, Papers presented by Lord North, ... 1534
Statements of Imports and Exports of British
Plantation Tobacco, ordered to be laid before
the House, 1535
Petition of the Manufacturers of Felt Hats, and
Dealers therein; as also, of the Shoemakers, in
the Town of New-Castle, in the County of Staf-
ford, presented, ..... I535
Petition of the Manufacturers and Traders in
Earthen Ware, residing in Burslem, Tunstall,
Colridge, Shelton, Hanly, Stoke-Lane, Dclf-
Lane-End, and places adjacent, in the County
of Stafford, presented, .... I535
Mr. Burke's motion for an Inquiry into the man-
ner in which the Petition from Birmingham,
presented on the 25th, was procured, - - 1536
Debate on the motion, - . - . . 1536
Mr. Burke's motion rejected, ... I537
House in Committee, on the American Papers, 1537
Feb. 1, Petition of the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and
Assistants, of the Borough of Leeds, in the
County of York, presented, - - . 1537
Petition of the Merchants of Leeds, trading to the
North American Colonies, or having property
there, presented, ..... I538
Papers presented by Lord North, ... I539
House in Committee, on the American Papers, 1539
CVI
1775.
Feb. 2, Petition of the Planters of his Majesty's Sugar
Colonies, residing in Great Britain, and of the
Merchants of London, trading to the said Colo-
nies, presented, - . . . -1540
ON A JOINT ADDRESS OF THE TWO HOUSES TO THE KING.
House of Commons.
Feb. 2, House in Committee, on the American Papers, 1541
Motion of Lord North, for an Address to the
King, declaring the Province of Massachusetts
Bay in actual rebellion, . - . . 1542
Debate — Mr. Dunning, .... I542
Mr. Attorney General Thurlow, - 1543
Colonel Grant, .... I543
Amendment proposed by Mr. Fox, - - 1543
Debate — Mr. Grenville, . . . .1544
Mr. Cruger, 1544
Captain Luttrell, .... I544
Mr. Cosmo Gordon, . - - 1547
Mr. Burke, 1547
Mr. Solicitor General Wedderburn, - 1547
Amendment offered by Mr. Fox, rejected, - 1547
Lord North's motion for an Address, adopted, - 1547
Statements of the Imports and Exports of the
Sugar Colonies, ordered to be laid before the
House, 1547
Accounts of Imports and Exports presented, - 1548
Report from Committee of the Whole, on the
American Papers. Address to the King, - 1548
Motion, by Lord John Cavendish, that the Report
be recommitted, . - - . . I549
Debate — Lord John Cavendish, ... I549
Lord Lumley, - - . . I549
Mr. Wilkes, (the Lord Mayor,) - 1549
Captain Harvey, .... I552
Sir William Mayne, ... I554
Mr. T. Tovvnshend, . - - 1556
Mr. Joliffe, 1556
Mr. Hans Stanley, .... 1556
Lord Irnham, . - . . 1556
Mr. William Adam, - - - 1559
Mr. Scott, 1559
Governour Johnstone, ... I559
Sir Robert Smythe, - - - 1564
Mr. Burke, 1564
Mr. Solicitor General Wedderburn, . 1565
Colonel Barre, ... - 1565
Lord North, 1565
Mr. Mackworth, .... 1565
Mr. Sawbridge, .... 1565
Motion to recommit the Report rejected, - - 1565
Amendment proposed and rejected, - - 1565
Resolution reported by Committee of the Whole
agreed to, ...... 1566
Committee to draw up an Address, - - 1566
Address reported and agreed to, . - - 1566
To be communicated to the Lords, at a Confer-
ence, 1566
Conference with the Lords requested, - - 1566
House in Committee, on the American Papers, 1566
The Address presented to the Lords in Confer-
ence, ..-..-- 1567
Managers of the two Houses in Conference on
the Address. The Lords agree to make it a
Joint Address, ..... 1567
The King has appointed to-morrow to receive
the Address, 1567
Petition of the Manufacturing Hosiers, of the
Town and County of Nottingham, presented, 1567
Lord North's motion, to postpone the further con-
sideration of the American Papers to the 10th, 1568
Debate— Mr. Fox, 1568
Lord North, 1568
Consideration of Petitions postponed to the 15th,
and of American Papers to the 1 0th, - - 1568
The King's Answer to the Joint Address of the
two Houses, presented yesterday, - - 1569
Hoiise of Lords.
Feb. 2, Papers relating to the Disturbances in America,
considered, .--.--
Further considered, " " " " '
Message from the Commons, desiring a Confer-
ence with this House, upon the state of his
Majesty's Colonies in America,
Managers of the Conference appointed, -
The two Houses in Conference,
7,
10,
3,
7,
1569
1569
1569
1569
1570
- 1570
0
- 1571
1571
1571
1572
1572
1572
1572
1573
1574
1575
1576
1576
1577
1578
1578
1578
1579
1579
1579
1580
1581
1581
1582
1583
1584
1584
1584
1584
1584
1584
1585
1585
1585
1586
1586
1587
1588
1589
1590
1590
1621
1589
1589
1589
1590
1591
1591
1591
1591
1591
1592
1595
1595
1595
cvii CONTENTS.
1775.
Feb. 7, Address delivered at the Conference, reported by
the Lord President, . . . -
Motion, by the Earl of Dartmouth, to agree to
the Address, . . . . -
Marquis of Rockingham's motion for the Previ^
ous Question, --.--•
Debate — Marquis of Rockingham,
Earl of Pomfret, ....
Earl of Denbigh, ....
Earl Gower. ....
Lord Mansfield, ....
Lord Camden, ....
Duke of Grafton, ....
Lord Mansfield, ....
Lord Lyttelton, ....
Duke of Richmond,
Lord Mansfield, ....
Lord Lyttelton, ....
Earl of Rochford, ....
Earl of Shelburne,
Lord Mansfield, ....
Earl of Shelburne,
Duke of Richmond, - - -
Earl of Sandwich, ....
Duke of Richmond,
Earl of Sandwich, ....
Bishop of Peterborough,
Duke of Richmond, ...
Duke of Manchester, ...
Lord Ljntelton, ....
Lord Mansfield, ....
Lord Camden, ....
Earl of Dartmouth, ...
Notice of the Debate, (Note,) ...
Previous Question put, and resolved in the Af-
firmative, ......
List of the Minority, (Note,) ...
Protest,
The Main Question, on agreeing to the Address
put, and resolved in the Affirmative,
Protest,
Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and others,
concerned in the American Commerce, read,
and laid on the table, ....
Petition of tlie Planters of his Majesty's Sugar
Colonies, residing in Great Britain, and of the
Merchants of London, trading to the said Colo-
nies, read, and laid on the table.
Statements of Imports and Exports, ordered to be
laid before the House, ....
8, The Lords informed the King will receive the
Joint Address of the two Houses to-morrow,
at his Palace of St. James, - . .
10, The King's Answer to the Address presented
yesterday, ......
ON ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES FOR THE YEAR 1775.
House of Commons.
FeA. 10, Message from the King, requesting additional
Forces by Sea and Land, ....
13, House in Committee, to consider further of the
Supply granted to his Majesty, -
Mr. Buller's motion, that an additional number,
of 2,000 Men, be allowed for the Sea Service,
for the year 1775, • . . . 1
Debate — Lord North,
Governour Johnstone, ...
Lord North,
Lord John Cavendish,
Mr. Cornwall, ....
Mr. Charles Fox, ....
Captain Walsingham, ...
Mr. Temple Luttrell,
Mr. Sawbridge, ....
Mr. Buller's motion agreed to, ...
14, House in Committee,
Lord Barrington's motion, to augment the Land
Forces with 4,383 Men, Officers and Non-
Commission Officers included, .
After Debate, agreed to, ...
1596
1590
ON LORD north's RESOLUTION FOR RECONCILIATION.
House of Commons.
rd>.20,House in Committee, on American Papers, - 1597
Lord North's Conciliatory Resolution, -' . I598
Remarks on the introduction of this Resolution.
(Note-) - 1598
CVIU
1775.
Feb.2Q, Debate— Lord North, 1597
Governour Pownall, ... 1600
Mr. Charles Fox, .... 1605
Mr. Jenkinson, .... 1606
Mr. Welbore Ellis, - . . 1606
JNIr. Adam, 1606
Mr. Cornwall, .... 1607
Mr. Ackland, .... 1607
Mr. Dundas, .... 1607
Sir Gilbert Elliot, .... 1607
Colonel Barre, .... 1607
Lord North, 1608
Mr. Edmund Burke, - . - 1608
Mr. Dunning, .... 1610
Question taken, and resolved in the Affirmative, 1610
To be reported to the House on Friday morning
next, 1610
Authentick Speech of Lord North, on introdu-
cing the Resolution, (Note,) ... 1599
Circumstantial account of the Debates in the
American Committee, on Lord North's mo-
tion, (Note,) 1600
Lord North's explanation of his Resolution,
(Note,) 1602
24, Report of Committee of the Whole deferred to
Monday next, ---... 1610
27, Resolution of the Committee of the Whole re-
ported to the House, .... I6II
Lord North's motion to agree to the Resolution, 1611
Debate — Mr. Scott, 1611
Mr. Ackland, . . - - 1611
Mr. Temple Luttrell, - . - 1613
Sir P. J. Clerke, .... 1617
Mr. Hartley, - . . .1617
Mr, Thomas Powys, • - .1618
Lord North, 1619
Mr. T. Townshend, . . - 1619
Sir Richard Sutton, - . .1619
Mr. Charles Turner, . . . 1619
Mr. Hans Stanley, ... 1619
Mr. Alderman Sawbridge, . - 1619
General Burgoyne, . . .1619
Governour Johnstone, - - . 1622
Question taken, and Resolution agreed to, - 1622
ON THE BILL FOR RESTRAINING THE TRADE OF THE
NORTHERN COLONIES.
House of Commons.
fe J. 10, House in Committee, on American Papers,
Lord North's motion, for leave to bring in a Bill
to Restrain the Trade of the Northern Colo-
nies, --.....
Debate — Lord North,
Mr. Dunning, ....
Mr. Attorney General Thurlow,
Mr. Solicitor General Wedderbum, -
Mr. Speaker Norton, ...
Governour Johnstone,
Mr. T. Townshend,
Sir George Savile, ...
Sir W. Meredith, ....
Lord John Cavendish, ...
Lord Beauchamp, ....
Mr, Burke,
Lord North's motion agreed to, . . .
Report of Committee of the Whole,
Leave granted, and Committee appointed, to bring
in a Bill to Restrain the Trade and Commerce
of Massachusetts, New- Hampshire, Connecti-
cut, and Rhode-Island, and to prohibit such
Colonies from carrying on any Fisherj' on
the Banks of Newfoundland, or other places,
therein to be mentioned, ....
Statements of Duties and Excise on Imports and
Exports of West India Produce, and of the
Tonnage of all Vessels employed in the Trade
between Great Britain and the Colonies, order-
ed to be laid before the House, ...
Accounts of Exports presented, ...
Consideration of the Petition of Merchants, and
others, of London, concerned in the Commerce
of America, postponed to the 8th of March,
Statements of Exports and Imports, ordered to be
laid before the House, ....
Petition of the principal Manufacturers of the
Borough of Bridgeport, in the County of Dor-
set, on behalf of themselves, and thousands of
1622
1622
1622
1623
1623
1623
1623
1623
1624
1624
1624
1625
1625
1625
1626
1626
13.
15,
1626
1626
1626
1627
1627
CIX
1775.
CONTENTS.
ex
others, Inhabitants of the said Borough, and
places adjacent, presented, - - - 1 627
JVi. 15, Letter from Lord Dunmore, dated December
24, 1774, presented by Lord North, - - 1628
Petition of the Merchants and Master Manufac-
turers of Woollen Goods, of the Towns of
Wakefield, Halifax, Bradford, Huddersfield,
and Country adjacent, interested in the Trade
to America, presented, .... 1628
Accounts of Imports and Exports of Sugar pre-
sented, 1629
17, Address to the King, that he will direct to be laid
before the House, an Act of Assembly of Vir-
ginia, passed in the year 1684, ... 1629
Bill to Restrain the Trade, and prohibit the Fish-
eries of the Northern Colonies, presented by
Lord North, 1629
Second reading ordered for Thursday, - - 1629
American Papers to be considered in Committee
of the Whole, on Monday, the 20th, - .1629
20, Accounts of Imports and Exports presented, . 1630
22, Petition of the Merchants of Whitehaven, in the
County of Cumberland, .... 1630
Petition of the Merchants, Linen Drapers, and
principal Inhabitants of the Town and Neigh,
bourhood of Belfast, in the Kingdom of Ire.
land, presented, . . . - -.1631
Petition of the Aldermen, Sheriff, principal
Manufacturers, and Inhabitants of the Town
and County of Nottingham, presented, - 1631
" Act for the better preservation of the Peace of
Virginia, and preventing Unlawful and Trea-
sonable Associations," passed by the Assem-
bly of Virginia, on the 16th of April, 1684,
presented, (Note,) 1632
Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and others,
of the City of London, interested in the Ame-
rican Commerce, presented, ... i633
Second reading of the Bill postponed until to-
morrow, 1634
24, Letter from General Gage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth, dated January 18, presented by Lord
North, 1634
Other Papers from America presented, - - 1634
Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and
Commons, of the City of London, in Common '
Council convened, presented at the Bar of the
House, by the Sheriffs of the City, - - 1635
Bill read second time, and committed to Com-
mittee of the Whole, .... 1636
Petition of Merchants, of London, referred to
same Committee, and may be heard by them-
selves, their Counsel, or Agents, against the
Bill, 1636
City Petition referred to the same Committee, - 1637
28, Petition of the People called duakers presented, 1637
Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and principal
Inhabitants of the Town and County of Poole,
presented, ...... i637
House in Committee, on the Bill, ... 1638
David Barclay, as Agent for the Committee of
the North American Merchants, called in, to
examine Witnesses in support of their Peti-
tion, 1638
Examination of Brook Watson, ... 1638
Examination of Stephen Higginson, - - 1645
Examination of John Lane, .... 1648
Examination of Seth Jenkins, ... 1650
March Account of the Imports of Tobacco into Scotland,
I, from 1760 to 1775, presented, . . - 1651
Account of Imports and Exports presented, - 1651
House in Committee on the Bill, ... i651
6, Bill reported to the House from the Committee
of the Whole, 1651
Examination of Benjamin Lister, in support of
the Petition from Poole, . . . .1651
Motion made for the engrossment of the Bill, - 1653
Debate — Lord Howe, 1653
Mr. Charles Fox, .... 1553
Mr. Jenkinson, ... 1553
Mr. T. Town.shpnd, ... 1654
Mr. Henry Dundas, - - . 1654
Lord John Cavendish, ... 1554
Mr. Rice, . - - - . 1654
Mr. Edmund Burke, . - - 1654
Lord Advocate of Scotland, - - 1656
Question taken, and resolved in the Affirmative, 1657
Third reading ordered for Wednesday next, - 1657
1657
1657
1657
1658
1659
1659
1659
1659
1660
1660
1660
1660
1775.
jWar.8, Bill read the third time, ....
Amendment offered by Mr. Hartley, to permit
the Colonies to import Fuel and Provisions
brought coastwise from any part of America,
Debate — Mr. Hartley, ....
Lord North, .....
Mr. Burke,
Lord Clare, .....
Mr. T. Townshend,
Mr. Charles Fox, ....
Governour Pownall, ...
Mr. Henry Dundas, ...
Question on the Amendment taken, and rejected,
Bill VasseA,
House of Lords.
March Bill to Restrain the Trade of the Northern Colo-
9, nies, received from the Commons, . . 1661
10, Second reading of the Bill ordered for Wednesday
the I5th, and the Lords summoned, . . 1661
15, Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Com-
mons, of the City of London, in Common Coun-
cil assembled, ...... 1661
Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and others, of
the City of London, interested in the American
Commerce, 1661
Bill read the second time, .... 1663
House refuse to permit Mr. Barclay to put Ques-
tions to the witnesses, .... 1663
Seth Jenkins examined, .... 1663
Brook Watson examined, .... 1667
Benjamin Lyster examined, .... 1668
George Davis examined, .... 1669
Molyneux Shuldham examined, ... 1669
Sir Hugh Palliser examined, - . . 1670
16, Motion by the Earl of Dartmouth, to commit the
Bill, 1670
Debate — Marquis of Rockingham, - . 1670
Earl of Carlisle, .... 1673
Duke of Manchester, - . . 1673
Earl of Denbigh, .... 1674
Duke of Manchester, ... 1674
Earl of Denbigh, .... 1674
Viscount Dudley, . - . . 1675
Lord Camden, .... 1675
Earl of Sandwich, (see Note,) - -1681
Earl of Shelburne, - • . 1683
Earl of Suffolk, - • . . . 1684
Earl of Radnor, .... 1684
Earl of Suflblk, .... 1684
Earl of Radnor, .... 1684
Duke of Grafton, .... 1685
Marquis of Rockingham, - . 1686
Lord Camden, .... 1686
Question taken ; Bill committed to a Conamittee
of the Whole House, .... 1687
20, Bill reported, amended, and ordered for a third
reading to-morrow, - - - . -1687
21, Bill read a third time, 1688
Amendment offered by the Earl of Buckingham-
shire, 1688
Debate — Duke of Manchester, ... 1688
Lord Chancellor, .... 1688
Duke of Manchester, ... 1688
Earl of Effingham, - . . 1689
Earl of Dartmouth, - . . 1689
Amendment rejected, ..... 1689
Bill passed, 1689
List of the Minority, 1689
Protest, 1689
" An Act to Restrain the Trade and Commerce of
the Provinces of Massachusetts Bay and New-
Hampshire, and Colom'es of Connecticut and
Rhode-Island, and Providence Plantation, in
North America, to Great Britain, Ireland, and
the British Islands in the West Indies; and
to prohibit such Provinces and Colonies from
carrying on any Fishery on the Banks of New-
foundland, or other places therein mentioned,
under certain conditions and limitations," - 1691
ON THE BILL TO
RESTRAIN THE TRADE OF
COLONIES.
THE SOUTHERN
House of Commons.
Mar. 3, American Papers presented by Lord North, - 1697
Letter from Governour Franklin to the Earl of
Dartmouth, dated February 1, - - . 1697
cxt
1775. i_ -r* 1 f T^k-
Mar.d, Letter from Govemour Ponn to the Earl of Dart-
mouth, datedJanuary 30, ■ " " T
Petition of iho Merchants, Linen Drapers, and
principal Inhabitants, of the City of Waterford,
in the Kingdom of Ireland, presented,
8, Letter from Govemour Gage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth, dated January 27, presented by Lord
North, ■
Mr. Hartley's motion for an Address to the King,
requesting him to direct a copy of a Letter
from the Earl of Dartmouth to Lieutenant Gov-
emour Golden, dated December lOth, may be
laid before the House, . . . -
Debate — Mr. Hartley, . . - -
Mr. Rigby,
Mr. T. Townshend,
Lord North,
Mr. Fox,
Mr. Hartley's motion rejected, . . -
House in Committee on the American Papers,
CONTENTS.
CXII
13,
15.
16,
17.
20,
23.
27,
29.
30,
1698
1698
1698
1699
1699
1699
1699
1699
1699
1699
1700
1700
9, Accounts of Exports and Imports presented,
Petition of Gentlemen, Merchants, and Traders,
in the Woollen Manufactory at or near Hud-
dersfield, in the West Riding of the County of
York, presented, - - - *, ,"
Petition of the Manufacturing Hosiers of the
Town and County of Nottingham, presented, 1700
Permission granted to the Petitioners to be heard
before the Committee if they think fit,
House in Committee on the American Papers, -
Motion by Lord North, for leave to bring in a
Bill to Restrain the Trade of New-Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and South
Carolina, ..----
Debate — Lord John Cavendish, . . •
Sir William Mayne, . . -
Mr. Hartley, ....
Lord North,
Question taken ; motion agreed to by the Com-
mittee, -------
Reported to the House, - - - -
Leave granted, and Committee appointed to bring
in the Bill, -
Bill presented by Mr. Cooper, and read first time, 1702
Second reading ordered for Thursday, - - 1702
Accounts of Duties, Di'awbacks, and Imposts,
presented, ------
Petition of the Clothiers and other principal In-
habitants of Trowbridge, in the County of
Wilts, presented, - - - - -
Second reading of the Bill postponed until to-
morrow, - - - -
Bill read second time, and committed to a Com-
mittee of the Whole House, - - -
House in Committee go through with the Bill,
Report of the Committee of the Whole to be re-
ceived on the 23d, -----
Report postponed to the 27th, ...
Report further postponed to the 29th,
Report to be received to-morrow, - - -
Bill reported from the Committee of the AVhole,
Debate — Mr. John Luttrell, - - - -
Mr. Temple Luttrell, . . -
Lord North,
Amendment, relating to Delaware, proposed by
Lord North, and agreed to, - - -
Bill ordered to be read a third time on the 3d of
April,
Papers presented by Lord North, - - -
Letter from Govemour Gage to the Earl of Dart-
mouth, dated February 17, - - -
Letter from Govemour Gage to the Earl of
Dartmouth, dated February 20,
Apr. 3, Third reading of the Bill postponed,
Estimate of the charge of maintaining and sup-
porting the Civil Establishment of his Majes-
ty's Colony of Nova-Scotia, for the year 1775,
Estimate of the Civil Establishment of his Ma-
jesty's Colony of Georgia, and the Incidental
Expenses attending the same, from the 24th of
June, 1774, to the 24th of June, 1775,
Estimate of the Civil Establishment of East
Florida, and other Incidental Expenses attend-
ing the same, from June 24, 1774. to June 24.
1775.
Estimate of the Expenses attending General Sur-
veys of his Majesty's Dominions in North
America, for the year 1775, ... 1712
- 1700
1701
1701
1701
1701
1701
1702
1702
1702
1702
- 1702
1702
1703
1703
1704
1704
1704
1704
1704
1704
1704
1705
1706
1708
- 1708
1708
1708
1708
1709
1709
1710
1710
1711
1775. , , .
Apr. 5. Bill read the third time,
Motion made that the Bill do Pass, -
Debate — Mr. Hartley,
Lord North,
Sir William Mayne,
Mr. Rigby,
Marquis of Granby,
Lord North, -
Mr. Alderman Sawbridge,
Mr. Alderman Bull.
Sir John Duntze.
General Conway. -
Mr. Rigby, ...
Mr. T. Townshend,
Question taken ; the Bill passed.
House of Lords.
Apr. 6, Bill to Restrain the Trade of New- Jersey, Penn-
sylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and South Ca-
rolina, received from the Commons,
Read the first time,
7, Bill read the second time, - - - -
10, House in Committee, go through with the Bill,
Third reading ordered for the 12th,
12, Bill read the third time and passed.
Lords dissenting,
" An Act to Restrain the Trade and Commerce
of the Colonies of New-Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina, to
Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Islands
in the West Indies, under certain conditions
and limitations," . . . . -
1712
1712
1712
1712
1712
1713
1713
1714
1714
1714
1715
1715
1715
1715
1716
1716
1716
1716
1716
1716
1716
1716
1716
ON THE PETITION OF THE WEST INDIA PLANTERS
House of Commons.
MaT.8, House to go into Committee on the Petitions, on
the 15th, -
15, Witnesses directed to attend the Committee of the
Whole,
House in Committee on the Petitions,
16, House in Committee, . . . - -
Mr. Glover appeared as Agent of the West In-
dia Planters, and Manager of the Evidence in
support of their Petition, which was presented
on the 2d of February, . . - -
Mr. Glover's Address to the Committee,
George Walker examined, - - - -
John Ellis examined, - - . . -
Evidence summed up by Mr. Glover,
Petition and Memorial of the Assembly of Ja-
maica, to the King in Coimcil, dated Decem-
ber 28, 1774, presented by Lord North,
20, House again in Committee on the Petitions,
Witnesses examined on the Petitions from Not-
1721
1721
1721
1721
1721
1721
1722
1731
1733
1743
1743
27,
tingham, ---..- 1743
Debate on the objection made by Mr. Van, to a
question put to one of the witnesses, by Mr.
Burke,
Remarks of Mr. Bailey on the conduct of Lord
North, in relation to the Petitioners,
Petitions to be further considered on the 27th, -
Consideration postponed for one week, when the
subject dropped, - . . . .
1743
1744
1744
1745
ON MR. BURKe's RESOLUTIONS FOR CONCILIATION.
House of Commons.
March Mr. Burke's Resolutions for Conciliatioij with
22, America, ...--- 1745
Debate— Mr. Burke, 1745
Mr. Jenkinson, .... 1776
Lord Frederick Campbell, - - 1777
Question taken, and the Resolutions rejected, 1778
ON MR. hartley's PROPOSITIONS FOR CONCILIATION.
House of Commons.
March Mr, Hartley's Propositions for Conciliation with
27. the Colonies, 1781
Debate— Mr. Hartley, - - - - 1781
Sir Cecil Wray, - - - - 1791
Lord North, 1791
Sir Cecil Wray, - - - - 1792
Mr. T. Townshend, - - - 1792
Lord William Campbell, - - 1792
Mr. Lyttelton, .... 1792
Sir George Savile, ... 1792
Mr. Vyner, 1792
Mr. Tuffiiell, .... 1792
Mr. Hartley's Propositions rejected, - - 1793
CXIII
CONTENTS.
CXIV
1775.
ON THE AMERICAN MUTINY BILL.
House of Commons.
March Leave granted to bring in a Bill to render more
24, effectual in his Majesty's Dominions in Ame-
rica, the Act for punishing Mutiny and Deser-
tion, .......
27, The Bill presented by Lord Barrington,
28, Bill read the second time, . - . .
30, Considered in Committee of the Whole,
31, Ordered to be engrossed, . . . .
Apr. 5, Read the third time and passed, ...
House of Lords.
Apr.G, Bill to render more effectual in his Majesty's Do-
minions in America, the Act for the punishment
of Mutiny and Desertion, received from the
Commons, ......
7, Bill read the second time, - . . .
10, House in Committee on the Bill, - . .
11, Read the third time and passed, . . .
"An Act to amend, and render more effectual in
his Majesty's Dominions in America, an Act,
passed in the present Session of Parliament,
entitled, ' An Act for punishing Mutiny and
Desertion, and for the better Payment of the
Army and their Quarters,' and for extending
the provisions of the said Act to his Majesty's
Marine Forces in America,"
1793
1793
1793
1793
1794
1794
1794
1794
1794
1795
. 1795
ON THE BRITISH FISHERY BILL.
House of Commons.
April Motion of Lord North to consider of the Enconr-
1 1, agement proper to be given to the Fisheries of
Great Britain and Ireland, .... 1805
Debate— Lord North, 1805
Mr. Burke, 1806
Mr. Thomas To\vnshend, - - 1806
Mr. Connolly, - - - - 1807
Mr. Burke, 1807
Lord North, 1807
Motion agreed to, 1807
27, House in Committee on Lord North's motion, . 1807
Lord North's Explanations, .... 1807
28, Resolutions reported by Committee of the Whole,
for the Encouragement of the Fisheries carried
on from Great Britain and Ireland, agreed to, 1809
Committee to prepare the Bill, - - - 1811
JWay4, Bill presented by Mr. Jenkinson, - . . 1811
9, Read the second time, . - . .1811
11, Considered in Committee, - . . -1811
17, Read the third time and passed, . - - 1812
House of Lords.
3fayl8,Bill for the Encouragement of British Fisheries
received from the Commons, - . .1812
19, Read the second time, . - - . .1812
22, Considered in Committee, and read the third time
and passed, . . . - . .1812
ON PROVIDING WAYS AND MEANS FOR 1775.
House of Commons.
May 3, House in Committee to consider further of the
Ways and Means for raising the Supply grant-
ed to his Majesty, . - . . . 1811
Resolutions offered by Lord North, - .1815
Debate — Lord North, 1813
Mr. Hartley, .... 1815
Mr. Vyner, 1815
Mr. T. Townshend, - . .1815
Lord North, 1815
Governour Johnstone, . - - 1816
4, Resolutions reported from the Committee of the
Whole, 1816
Agreed to by the House, - - - - 1818
ON THE REMONSTRANCE OF THE NEW.YORK ASSEMBLY.
House of Commons.
May\5, Representation and Remonstrance of the Assem.
bly of New- York, offered by Mr. Burke, - 1819
Mr. Burke's motion, that the Representation and
Remonstrance be brought up, - . . 1819
Motion by Lord North to amend by inserting, in
Mr. Burke's motion, after the word Remon-
strance, the words " in which the said Assem-
FouRTH Series.
1775.
bly claim to themselves rights derogatory to,
and inconsistent with, the Legislative authority
of Parliament," 1819
Debate— Mr. Burke, 1€19
Lord North, - .... - 1819
Mr. Cruger, 1820
Mr. Cornwall, .... 1821
Mr. Jcnkinson, . . . .1821
Mr, Aubrey, 1821
Mr. Fox, 1822
Governour Johnstone, ... 1822
Lord North's motion to amend agreed to, - 1822
Mr. Burke's motion, as amended, rejected, - 1822
ON THE PETITIONS FROM QCEBECK.
House of Lords.
itfay 17, Petition of his Majesty's loyal and dutiful Sub-
jects, settled in the Province of duebeck, pre-
sented by Lord Camden, - - . . 1823
Debate — Earl Gower, .... 1823
Lord Camden, .... 1823
Bill offered by Lord Camden, to Repeal the
Q,uebeck Act, 1826
Motion by the Earl of Dartmouth, that the Bill
be now rejected, 1826
Debate— Earl of Dartmouth, . - .1826
Duke of Richmond, . . .1827
Lord Lyttelton, - - - - 1827
Duke of Manchester, - - - 1829
Earl of Rochford, .... 1829
Earl of Bristol, - - - - 1829
Lord Lyttelton, - - - - 1830
Earl of Sandwich, - - - 1831
Earl of Bristol, - . . . 1831
Earl of Sandwich, - - - 1831
Archbishop of Canterbury, - - 1831
Earl of Shelburne, - - - 1831
Lord Mansfield, - . . - 1834
Lord Camden, - - . - 1834
Question taken, and the Bill rejected, - - 1834
List of the Minority, 1834
House of Communis.
MaylS, Petition and Memorial of his Majesty's ancient
Subjects, Seigneurs, Freeholders, Merchants,
Traders, and others, settled in his Majesty's
Province of Quebeck, presented, - - 1833
Sir George Savile's motion for leave to bring in
a Bill to repeal the Quebeck Act, - - 1836
Debate — Sir George Savile, ... 1835
Mr. T. Townshend, - . - 1836
Mr. De Grey, .... 1836
Mr. Howard, - . . - 1836
Lord North, 1836
Mr. Fox, 1837
Sir Robert Smythe, . - - .1837
Colonel Barr^, .... 1838
Sir W. Meredith, .... 1838
Colonel Barre, .... 1838
Question taken, and Sir George Savile's motion
rejected, 1838
ON THE MEMORIAL OF THE NEW.YORK ASSEMBLY.
House of Lords.
MaylS, Memorial of his Majesty's faithful Subjects and
Representatives of the Colony of New- York,
in General Assembly convened, presented, - 1837
Motion by the Duke of Manchester, that the
Memorial might be read by the Clerk, - 1837
Debate — Earl of Dartmouth, - - - 1837
Duke of Manchester, - - - 1838
Earl of Buckinghamshire - - 1838
Earl of Denbigh, - - - - 1839
Earl Gower, .... 1839
Duke of Manchester, - - - 1839
Earl of Hillsborough, - - - 1839
Duke of Richmond, ... 1839
Earl of Sandwich, ... 1839
Motion by the Earl of Sandwich, to amend the
Duke of Manchester's motion, by inserting
after the word Memorial, the words, " the con.
tents thereof, not having been opened," - 1839
Debate — Duke of Richmond, . - - 1839
Earl Gower, - - - - 1839
Lord Camden, .... 1839
Earl of Effingham, - - - 1840
CXY
1775.
Amendment proposed by the Earl of Sandwich,
rejected, ...... 1842
Question taken on the Duke of Manchester's
motion, and the House refused to permit the
Memorial to be read, .... 1842
3fay26, Speaker's Speech to the Xing', - - - 1841
King's Speech to both Houses, ... 1842
Parliament prorogued to the 27th day of July
ne.Tt, - 1844
1774.
PETITIONS TO THE KING.
Jan. 10, The most humble Petition of his Majesty's an^
cicnt and loyal Subjects, Freeholders, Mer
chants, and Planters, in the Province of Que
beck, in North America to the King, -
15, Memorial of the Freeholders, Merchants, Plan-
ters, and others, his Majt'stj^'s ancient and
loyal Subjects, now in the Province of Quc-
beck, to the Right Honourable the Earl of
Dartmouth, one of his Majesty's principal Se-
cretaries of State, - - - - -
March Letter from Francis Maseres to the Committee
19, of the Petitioners for an Assembly in the
Province of Qucbeck. Has presented the
Petition and Memorial. Ministers believe the
Province is not yet ripe for an Assembly, and
prefer for the present a Legislative Council,
nominated by the King. Advises them to
declare that the British Parliament has su-
preme authority over the Province, both of
- 1843
1844
1774.
Feb.
CONTENTS. cxvi
Legislation and Taxation, and that such au-
thority shall continue after the Establishment
of an Assembly, - - - - - 1845
Petition of divers Roman Catholick Inhabitants
of the Province of Qucbeck, signed and trans-
mitted to the Earl of Dartmouth, his Majes-
ty's Secretary of State for America, - - 1846
Memorial in support of the requests made by his
Majesty's most obedient and most faithful new
Subjects in Canada, 1843
Petition of his Majesty's most loyal and dutiful,
his ancient Subjects, settled in the Province of
Qucbeck, 1849
Humble Address and Petition of the Merchants,
Traders, and others, of the City of London,
concerned in the Commerce of North America, 1850
Address and Petition of the People called Qua-
kers, to George the Third, King of C4reat
Britain, and the Dominions thereunto belong-
ing, - - - - - - - 1852
Humble Address, Remonstrance, and Petition of
the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery, of the
City oi London, in Common-Hall, assembled, 1853
The King's Answer, delivered to the Lord
Mayor, by the Earl of Hertford, Lord Cham-
berlain, - - . - - - « - 1854
Letter from the Lord Chamberlain, to the Lord
Mayor of London, 1854
May 2, Mr. Wilkes's, the Lord Mayor's Answer, to the
Letter from Lord Hertford, the Lord Cham-
berlain, ■ . 1854
Nov.
12,
1775.
March
23,
April
10,
11,
List of the Delegates appointed by the several Counties of the Province of jMaryland, to the Convention which
met at Annapolis, by Adjournment, on the Eighth day of Dece.hber, 1774, and continued
till the Twelfth day of the same month. (See page 1031.)
For St. Mary's County. — John Allen Thomas, Jeremiah
Jordan, Richard Barnes, John De Butts.
For Charles County. — John Dent, Daniel Jenifer, Thomas
Stone.
.For Calvert County. — John Weeras, Alexander Sonier-
ville, Richard Parran, Edward Reynolds, Benjamin
Mackall_, 4th.
For Frince George's County. — William Bowie, Robert
Tyler, Edward Sprigg, John Rodgers, David Crauford,
Joshua Beall, Osborn Sprigg, Walter Bowie.
For Frederick County. — Charles Beatty, Jacob Funk,
Henry Griffith, Thomas Price, Richard Brooke, Jo-
seph Chapline, Upton Sheredine, Thomas Sprigg Woot-
len.
For Anne Arundel County, and City of Annapolis. — John
Hall, Thomas Johnson, Samuel Chase, William Paca,
Matthias Hammond, Charles Carroll, Barrister, Charles
Carroll of Carrolllon, Brice T. B. Worthington, Tho-
mas Dorsey, John Weems.
For Baltimore County. — John Moale, Thomas Cockey
Deye, Walter Tiiliey, Benjamin Nicholson, William
Buchanan, John Boyd, Samuel Worthington, Charles
Ridgely.
For Harford County. — Thomas Bond, John Love, Josias
Carvile Hall, John Paca, Aquila Paca, Francis Holland,
Aquila Hall, Amos Garret, Richard Dallam.
For Cecil County. — John Veazy, Joseph Gilpin.
For Kent County. — Thomas Ringgold, Joseph Earle.
For (^ueeji Anne County. — James Hollyday, John Brown,
Thomas Wright, Turburt Wright.
For Caroline County. — Hemy Dickenson, Benedict Brice,
William Mellefon, Joshua Clarke.
For Dorchester County. — John Dickenson, Thomas En-
nalls, Matthew Brown, Josiali Richardson, Zachariah
Campbell.
For Somerset County. — Peter Waters, George Dashiell,
Samuel Wilson, Josiah Polk, Henry Waggaman, John
Winder, Luther Martin.
For fVorccster County. — Peter Chaille, William Purnel],
Samuel Handy, Smith Bishop, Nehemiah Holland.
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY, &c.
PROCEEDINGS, PAPERS, AXD DEBATES OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS AND HOUSE OF COMMONS, ON MEASURES
RELATING TO THE AMERICAN COLONIES, DURING THE SEVENTH SESSION OF THE
THIRTEENTH PARLIAMENT OF GREAT BRITAIN.
I. THE KING'S MESSAGE, OF SEVENTH MARCH, 1774.
HOUSE OF LORDS.
Friday, March 4th, 1774.
The Earl of Dartmouth acquainted the House " That
" his Majesty had given directions, that the several Papers
" received from America, relating to the Disturbances there,
" with regard to the importation of Tea, should be laid
" before the House ; and that the same will be delivered
" on Monday next."
Monday, March 1th, 1774.
The Earl of Dartmouth acquainted the House, " That
" he had a Message from his Majesty, under his Royal sign
*' manual, which his Majesty had commanded him to deli-
*' ver to this House."
And the same was read by the Lord Chancellor, and is
as follows ; (videlicet,)
George R.
His Majesty upon information of the unwarrantable
practices which have been lately concerted and earned on
in North America, and, particularly, of the violent and
outrageous proceedings at the Town and Port of Boston,
in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, with a view to ob-
structing the Commerce of this Kingdom, and upon grounds
and pretences immediately subversive of the Constitution
thereof, hath thought fit to lay the whole matter before his
two Houses of Parliament, fully confiding, as well in their
zeal for the maintenance of his Majesty's authority, as in
their attachment to the common interest and welfare of all
bis Dominions, that they will not only enable his Majesty
effectually to take such measures as may be most likely to
put an immediate stop to the present disorders, but will also
take into their most serious consideration, what farther regu-
lations and permanent provisions may be necessary to be
established for better securing the execution of the Laws,
and the just dependence of the Colonies upon the Crown
and Parliament of Great Britain. G. R.
The said Message was then read again by the Clerk.
The Earl of Dartmouth, (by his Majesty's command,)
laid before the House copies of all Letters, &;c., received
from America, relating to the Disturbances there w ith regard
to the importation of Tea, together with a list thereof;
which was read by the Clerk, as follows;
Massachusetts Bay.
No. 1. Extract of a Letter from Govemour Hutchinson
to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 4th November,
1773, received 17lh December, enclosing.
No. 2. Copy of a Letter to Thomas and Elisha
Hutchinson, delivered at their house in Boston,
2d hovember, 1773.
No. 3. Copy of a printed Paper, posted up in the
Town of Boston, on the 3d November, 1773.
No. 4. Copy of a Narrative.
No. 5. Copy of a Narrative.
No. 6. Copy of a Letter from Govemour Hutchinson
to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Milton, near Boston, 6th
November, 1773; received '25th December, enclosing.
No. 7. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Richard Clarke
and Company, and Benjamin Faneuil and Compa-
ny, to John Hancock, Esquire, dated 4th Novem-
ber, 1773.
No. 8. Copy of a Vote of the Town Meeting at
Boston, the 5th November, 1773.
No. 9. Copy of a Letter from Thomas Hutchinson,
Junior, to John Hancock, Esquire ; (no date.)
No. 10. Extract of a Letter from Govemovix Hutchinson
•to the Earl of Dartmouth , dated Boston, 15th November,
1773 ; received 3d January, 1774.
No. 1 1 . Copy of a Letter from Govemour Hutchinson
to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 2d of December,
1773 ; received 27th January, 1774, enclosing.
No. 12. Copy of a Petition of Richard Clarke and
Sons, Benjamin Fancuil, and Thomas and Elisha
Hutchinson ; and of the Proceedings of the Coun-
cil thereupon.
No. 13. Extract from the Massachusetts Gazette, of
the 26th November, 1773.
No. 14. Copy of a Paper printed at Boston, dated
1st December, 1773.
No. 15. Copy of a Letter from Govemour Hutchinson
to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 15th December,
1773; received 2d February, 1774.
No. 16. Copy of a Letter from Govemour Hutchinson
to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 17th December,
1773 ; received 27th January, 1774.
No. 17. Copy of a Letter from Govemour Hutchinson
to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 20th December,
1773; received 14th February, 1774.
No. 18. Extract of a Letter from Govemom Hutchinson
to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 24th December,
1773 ; received 14th February, 1774, enclosing.
No. 19. Extract of the Minutes of the Council of the
Massachusetts Bay, on the 21st December, 1773.
No. 20. Extract of a Letter from Govemour Hutcfnnson
to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 4th January,
1774 ; received 13th February.
New- York.
No. 21. Extract of a Letter from Major General Haldi-
mand to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated New-York, 3d of
November, 1773 ; received 10th December.
No. 22. Extract of a Letter from Major General Haldi-
mand to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated New-York, 2Sth
December, 1773 ; received 4tli February, 1774.
No. 23. Extract of a Letter from Major General Haldi-
mand to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated New-York, 5th
January, 1774 ; received 5th February.
No. 24. Copy of a Paper referred to in Major General
Haldimand's Letter of the 5th January, 1774.
No. 25. Extract of a Letter from Major General Haldi-
mand to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated 2d February, 1774 ;
received 2d March.
No. 26. Copy of a Letter from Govemour Tryon to the
Earl oi Dartmouth, dated New-York, 3d November, 1773;
received 10th December, enclosing.
No. 27. Copy of a printed Paper, intituled, " The
Alarm,No.l," dated New- York, 6thOctober,llT3.
KING'S MESSAGE, MARCH 7, 1774.
8
The
Copy of a printed Paper, intituled, " Thi
n, So. 2," dated New-York, 9th o( October
No. 28.
Alarm,
1773.
No. 29. Extract from a printed Paper, intituled, " Tne
Alarm," dated New York, 19th October, 1773.
No. 30. Copy of a Letter from Governour Tryon to the
Eari of Dartmouth, dated Netv- York, 1st December, 1773 ;
received 10th Jarniary, 1774, enclosing.
No. 31. Memorial of the Agents of the East India
Company, praying that the Tea shipped by the
Company, may, on its arrival, be taken under the
protection of Government.
No. 32. Minutes of Council relative to the Tea ship-
ped by the East India Company.
No. 33. Copy of a Letter from Governour Tryon to the
Earl of Dartmouth, dated New-York, 3d January, 1774;
received otli February, 1774.
No. 34. Copy of a Letter from Governour Tryon to the
Eari of Dartmouth, dated New-York, 5th January, 1774 ;
received 5th February, enclosing,
No. 35. Extract from the Minutes of the Council of
New-York.
South Carolina.
No. 36. Extract of ;t Letter from Lieutenant Governour
Bull to the Eari of Dartmouth, dated 24th December, 1773 ;
received 28th January, 1774.
Neio-Hampshire.
No. 37. Extract of a Letter from GovemoysiWcntworth,
to the Eari of Dartmouth, dated New-Hampshire, 17th
December, 1773; received 2d March, 1774, enclosing.
No. 38. Notification of the Selectmen of the Town
of Portsmouth.
No. 39. Resolves of Portsmouth, in New-Hampshire,
respecting the Teas.
Admiralty.
No. 40. Copy of a Letter from the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty to the Eari of Dartmouth, dated the 20th
January, 1774; received the 21st, enclosing.
No. 41. Copy of a Letter from Rear Admiral Mon-
tagu to Philip Stephens, Esqr., Secretary of the
Admiralty, dated Boston, 8th December, 1773.
No. 42. Copy of a Letter from the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated 27th
January, 1774 ; received the same day, enclosing.
No. 43. A copy of a Letter from Rear Admiral
Montagu to Philip Stephens, Esqr., Secretary of
the Admiralty, dated Boston, 17th December, 1773.
War Office.
No. 44. Copy of a I^etter from Lord Viscount Barrington
to the Eari of Dartmouth, dated War OfEce, 28th January,
1774 ; received 29tli, enclosing.
No. 45. Copy of a Letter from the Honourable Alex-
ander Leslie, Lieutenant Colonel of the Sixty-
Fourth Regiment of Foot, to Lord Viscount Bar-
rington, dated Castle William, December 6, 1773.
No. 46. Extract of a Letter from Ditto to Ditto, dated
17th December, 1773.
£aj< India Company.
No. 47. Copy of a Note from the Chairman of the East
India Company to the Eari of Dartmouth, dated 20th De-
cember, 1773 ; received 21st, enclosing,
No. 48. Account of Tea exported by the East India
Company to his Majesty's Colonies in North Ame-
rica, with the quantities, and to whom consigned.
No. 49. Copy of a Note from the Chairman of the East
India Company to the Eari of Dartmouth, dated 23d De-
cember, 1773 ; received 25th, enclosing.
No. 50. Extract of a Letter dated Boston, 18th Oc-
tober, 1773.
No. 51. Extract of a Letter from New- York, dated
5th November, 1773.
No. 52. Extract of a Letter from New- York, dated
5lh November, 1773.
No. 53. Cony of a Letter relative to advices received
from Philadelphia and New-York, dated 21st De-
cember, 177.3.
No. 54. Copy of a Letter relative to advices received
from Philadelphia, dated 21st December, 1773.
No. 55. Copy of a Letter relative to the exportation
of Tea to Boston, dated 21st December, 1773.
No. 56. Copy of a Letter relative to the exportation
of Tea to South Carolina.
No. 57. Copy of a Letter relative to the exportation
of Tea to New-York.
No. 58. Copy of a Note from the Chairman of the East
India Company to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated 24th
December, 1773 ; received 25tli, enclosing.
No. 59. Extract of a Letter from Philadelphia, dated
5th October, 1773.
No. 60. Extract of two Letters from Philadelphia,
dated October 5th and 30th, 1773.
No. 61. Copy of a Note from the Chairman and Deputy
Chairman of the East India Company to the Eari of Dart-
mouth,dated lOih January, 1774 ; received 15th, enclosing,
No. 62. Copy of a Letter from the East India Com-
pany's Agents at New-York to the Court of Di-
rectors.
No. 63. Copy of the Memorial of Henry Wiite and
others. Merchants, to the Governour of New- York.
No. 64. Copy of a Letter from an Agent of the East
India Company to his Correspondents in London, dated
Boston, 15th November, 1773.
No. 65. Copy of a Letter from an Agent of the East
India Company to his Correspondent in London, dated
Boston, November, 1773.
No. 66. Copy of a Letter from an Agent of the East
India Company to the Chairman, dated Boston, 17th No-
vember, 1773.
No. 67. Copy of a Note from the Chairman of the East
India Company to the Eari of Dartmouth, dated 21st
January, 1774 ; received 25th, enclosing,
No. 68. Copy of a Letter signed " Anglo Ameri-
canus," to the East India Company, dated Boston,
17th December, 1773.
No. 69. Copy of a Note from the Chairman and Deputy
Chairman of the East India Company to the Earl of
Dartmouth, dated 26th January, 1774 ; received the same
day.
No. 70. Copy of a Note from the Chairman and Deputy
Chairman of the East India Company to the Earl of Dart-
mouth, dated 26th January, 1774 ; received 27th, en-
closing.
No. 71. Copy of a Letter to the Delaware Pilots and
• to Captain Ayres, dated Philadelphia, 27th No-
vember, 1773.
No. 72. Declaration of Messrs. James and Drinker,
Agents for the East India Company, at Phila-
delphia.
No. 73. Postscript to the Pennsylvania Gazette, of
24th December, 1773.
No. 74. Copy of a Letter from Messrs. James and
Drinker to the Directors of the East India Com-
pany, dated Philadelphia, 28th December, 1773.
No. 75. Copy of a Letter from Messrs. Tliomas and
Isaac Wharton, Jonathan Brown, and Gilbert
Barkley, to the East India Company, dated Phi-
ladelphia, 28th December, 1773.
No. 76. Copy of a Note from the Chairman of the East
India Company to the Earl of Dartmouth ; received 3d
February, 1774.
No. 77. Copy of a Letter from Thomas and Elisha
Hutchinson, Richard Clarke and Sons, and Benjamin
Faneuil, to the Directors of the East India Company,
dated 2d December, 1773.
No. 78. Copy of a Letter from Ditto to Ditto, dated
17th December, 1773.
No. 79. Copies of two Letters from Messrs. Smith,
Leger, and Greenivood, to the Secretary of the East India
Company, dated 4lh and 18th December, 1773.
No. 80. Copy of a Note from the Chairman and Deputy
Chairman of the East India Company to the Earl of
Dartmouth, dated 9th February, 1774 ; received 10th,
enclosing,
No. 81. Copy of a Letter from Henry ff'hite, Abram
Lott, and Company, and Pigou and Booth, to the
Directors of the East India Company, dated Neiv-
York, 27th December, 1773.
9
KING'S MESSAGE, MARCH 7, 1774.
10
No. 82. Copy of a Letter from Henry fVJiitt, and
others, to Captain Benjamin Loclcyer, of the Ship
Nancy, dated New-York, 27th December, 1773.
No. 83. Copy of a Note from the Ciiairman and Deputy
Chairman of tiie East India Company to the Earl of Dart-
mouth, dated 15th February, 1774 ; received 16th, en-
closing.
No. 84. Questions proposed by Francis Rotch, an
owner, and James Hall, master, of the Ship Dart-
mouth, with the Answers of the Consignees.
No. 85. Questions proposed by James Bruce, master
of the Ship Eleanor, with the Answers of the Con-
signees.
No. 86. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Botch, owner of
the Ship Dartmouth, to Richard Clarke and Sons,
&c., dated Boston, 6th January, 1774.
No. 87. Copy of a Letter from Richard Clarke and
Sons, and Benjamin Faneuil, Jun., to the Directors
of the East India Company, dated Castle William,
January 7th, 1774.
No. 88. Copy of a Letter from Richard Clarke and
Sons, and Benjamin Faneuil, Jun., to the East India
Company, dated January 7th, 1774.
No. 89. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Mitchell, Secretary
to the East India Company, to John Pownall, Esqr., dated
16th February, 1774; received 17th. enclosing,
No. 90. Copy of a Memorial of the East India
Company to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated 16th
February, 1774.
Treasury.
No. 91. Copy of a Letter from Grey Cooper, Esqr.,
Secretary of the Treasury, to John Pownall, Esqr., dated
7th March, 1774, enclosing.
No. 92. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Mather, acting as
Secretary to the Commissioners of the Customs in
America, dated 7th October, 1773, to John Robin-
son, Esqr., Secretary to the Lords of the Treasury ;
received 14th February, 1774.
No. 93. A copy of a Letter from the Commissioners of
the Customs in America, to the Lords of the Treasury,
dated Boston, 4th January, 1774 ; received 14th Februa-
ry, 1774, enclosing.
No. 94. Copy of a Letter from the Collectors and
Comptroller of the Customs at Boston, to the Com-
missioners of the Customs there, dated 17th De-
cember, 1773.
No. 95. Copy of a Letter from Ditto to Ditto, dated
23d December, 1773.
No. 96. Copy of a Letter from Ditto to Ditto, dated
31st December, 1773.
No. 97. Copy of a Protest of James Bruce, James
Bruce, Jun., and John Finney.
No. 98. Do. of Hezekiah Coffin and others.
No. 99. Do. of Francis Rotch and others.
No. 100. Depositions of Samuel Hunt and others.
No. 101. Do. of Thomas Rick and others.
No. 102. Do. of miliam Elliot and others.
No. 103. Do. of Alexander Hodgson.
No. 104. Do. of James Bruce and others.
No. 105. Report of Arthur Savage.
No. 106. Do. of Robert Parker.
No. 107. Memorial of Francis Rotch.
No. 108. Do. of James Bruce.
No. 109. Do. of Hezekiah Coffin.
Ordered, That the said Papers do lie on the table.
Ordered, That an humble Address be presented to his
Majesty, '•' To return his Majesty the thanks of this House
" for his Majesty's gracious Message, and for the communi-
" cation his Majesty hath been graciously pleased to make
" to this House, of several Papers relative to the present
" state of some of his Majesty's Colonies in North Ame-
" rica.
" To assure his Majesty that this House, truly sensible
" that the peace and good government of the Colonies,
" and the preventing any obstructions there to the Com-
" merce of this Kingdom, are objects of their most serious
" attention, will enter upon the consideration of these
" Papers with an earnest desire to make such provisions
" as, upon mature deliberation, shall appear necessary and
" expedient for securing the just dependence of the said
" Colonies upon the Crown and Parliament of Great Bri-
" tain, and for enforcing a due obedience to the Laws of
" this Kingdom throughout all his Majesty's Dominions.''
Ordered, That the said Address be presented to his
Majesty by the Lords with White Staves.
Ordered, That the Papers delivered this day by the
Earl of Dartmouth, (by his Majesty's command,) toge-
ther with his Majesty's most gracious Message, be taken
into consideration on Thursday, sevennight ; and that tiie
Lords be summoned.
Friday, March 11, 1774.
The Earl of Dartmouth, (by his Majesty's command,)
laid before the House more Papers from America, relating
to the Disturbances there with regard to the importation of
Tea. together with a list thereof,
Which was read by the Clerk, as follows :
No. 1 . Extract of a Letter from Governour Hutchinson
to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 28th January,
1774; received 8th March, enclosing.
No. 2. Extract from the Boston Gazette, of 27th
January, 1774.
Ordered, That the said Papers do lie on the table, and
that they be taken into consideration on Thursday next.
Wednesday, March 16, 1774.
The House being moved, " That the consideration of
" the several Papers laid before tliis House (by his Majesty's
"command,) relating to D'lstwhances'm America, and also
" his Majesty's most gracious Answer in relation thereto,
" be adjourned till to-morrow sevennight ; and that the
" Lords be summoned."
The same was objected to. After short debate, the
question was put thereupon. It was resolved in the Affirm-
ative.
Wednesday, March 23, 1774.
Ordered, That the consideration of the several Papers
laid before this House (by his Majesty's command,) rela-
ting to the Disturbances in America; and also his Majesty's
most gracious Message in relation thereto, which stands
appointed for to-morrow, be adjourned till Monday next ;
and that the Lords be summoned.
Wednesday, March 30, 1774.
Ordered, That all the Lords who have been present
this day, be appointed a Committee to inquire into the
several Proceedings in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay,
in opposition to the sovereignty of his Majesty, in his
Parliament of Great Britain, over that Province ; and also
what has passed in this House relative thereto, from the 1st
of January, 1764.
Ordered, That the several Papers laid before this House
relating to Disturbances in the Colony of the Massachusetts
Bay, be referred to the said Committee; and the said
Committee is hereby empowered to send for Persons,
Papers, and Records.
Their Lordships, or any five of them, to meet to-morrow,
in the Prince's lodgings, near the House of Peers ; and to
adjourn as they please.
The Lords present, who formed the Committee, were :
Tlie Duke of Gloucester; Lord Apsley, Lord High
Chancellor; Earl of Gower, Lord President; Earl of
Hertford, Lord Chamberlain.
Dukes : Beafort, Ancaster, Chandos, Montagu.
Earls : Suffolk, Denbigh, Westmoreland, Stanford,
Sandwich, Doncaster, Rod ford ,Abercorn, Loudon, March,
Marchmont, Stair, Roseberry, Dartmouth, Macclesfield,
Waldegrave, Asburnham, Bucks, Hardwicke, Faucon-
berg, Ilchester, Northington, Spencer, Hillsborough.
Viscounts : Montague, Townshend, Falmouth.
Hon : Frederick Cornwallis, Archbishop of Canterbu-
ry; Richard Tcrrick, Bishop of Lonrfo/i; Edmund Keene,
Bishop of Ely; Sir William Asburnham, Bart., Bishop of
Chichester; John Hume, Bishop o( Salisbury ; John Green,
Bishop of Lincoln ; Charles Moss, Bishop of St. Davids ;
Eihnund Law, Bishop of Carlisle; John Hinchcliffe,
Bishop of Peterborough ; William Markham, Bishop of
Chester.
11
KING'S MESSAGE, MARCH 7, 1774.
12
Lords: Abergavenny, Wilhughhy, Br., Cathcart, Ca-
dogan, King, Godolphin, Moiitfort, Eds:cumbe, Sandys,
Bruce, IVafpok, Mansfield, Lyttchon, Wycombe, Scars-
dale, Boston, Pelhavi, Camden, Sundridge.
Thursday, April 14, 1774.
The Earl of Btickinghamshirc reported from the Com-
mittee appointed to inquire into tlie several Proceedings in
the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, in opposition to the
sovereignty of his Majesty in his Parliament of Great Bri-
tain, over that Province, and also what has passed in this
House relative thereto, from the 1st of January, 1764,
" That it is the opinion of this Committee, that the House
" be moved. That an humble Address be presented to his
" Majesty, that he would be graciously [)leased to give
" directions that there be laid before this House, copies or
" extracts of all Letters and Papers which have been receiv-
" ed by his Majesty's Secretaries of State, or the Commis-
" sioners of Trade and Plantations, from the Governour,
" Lieutenant Governour, or other Officers in his Majesty's
" service in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in iS'ew
'•■ England, containing advices of any proceedings in the
" said Province in opposition to his Majesty's sovereignty
" in his Parliament of Great Britain, over the same, from
" the 7th of July, 1766, which have not been already laid
" before the House."
Which Report, being read by the Clerk, was agreed to
by the House.
And the Hou'=e being moved accordingly —
Ordered, That an humble Address be presented to his
Majesty, " That he would be graciously pleased to give di-
" rections that there be laid before this House, copies or
" extracts of all Letters and Papers which have been receiv-
" ed by his Majesty's Secretaries of State, or the Com-
" missioners of Trade and Plantations, from the Governour,
" Lieutenant Governour, or other Officers in his ftlajesty's
" service in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in Neio
" England, containing advices of any proceedings in the
" said Province in opposition to his Majesty's sovereignty
" in his Parliament of Great Britain, over the same, from
" the 7th of July, 1766, which have not been already laid
" before the House."
Friday, April 15, 1774.
The Lord Chamberlain reported, " That the Lords with
" White Staves had (according to order) waited on his Ma-
"jesty with their Lordships' Address of yesterday ; and
" that his Majesty was pleased to say ' he would give
" directions accordingly.' "
The Earl of Dartmouth, (by his Majesty's command,)
laid before the House, the several Papers in their Lordships'
Address of yesterday, relating to the Disturbances in Ame-
rica, together with a list thereof; \yhich was read by the
Clerk, as follows :
No. 1 . Extract of a Letter from Governour Bernard to
the Lords of Trade, dated Boston, 7th July, 1766.
No. 2. Extract of a Letter from Governour Bernard to
the Earl of Shelburnc, dated Boston, 7th February, 1767,
with enclosures.
No. 3. Extract of a Letter from Governour Bernard to
the Earl of Shelburnc, dated Boston, 21st February, 1767.
No. 4. Extract of a Letter from Governour Bernard to
the Earl of Shelburne, dated Boston, 21st March, 1768.
No. 5. Extract of a Letter from Governour Bernard, to
the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, 30th of May,
1768.
No. 6. Answer of the House of Representatives of
Massachusetts Bay, to the Govemour's Message, the 30th
June, 1768.
No. 7. Printed account of the Associations at Boston,
and the Proceedings in consequence thereof.
No. 8. Extract of a Letter from Sir Francis Bernard,
Baronet, to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, the
1st of June, 1769.
No. 9. Extract of a Letter from Governour Hutchinson
to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, lltli July,
1769, with an enclosure.
No. 10. Copy of a Letter from Governour Hutchinson
to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, 27lh March,
1770, with an enclosure.
No. 11. Extracts of Letters from Governour Hutchinson
to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, 27th April,
and 21st May, 1770.
No. 12. Extractof a Letter from Governour i/i/fc^jnson,
to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, 6th July, 1771 ;
with a copy of his Message to the House of Representatives,
and of the Answer of the said House.
No. 13. Copy of a Letter from Governour Hutchinson
to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, 28th November,
1771, with enclosures.
No. 14. Extract of a Letter from Governour JE/u/cAinson
to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, 29th May,
1772, with an enclosure.
No. 15. Extract of a Letter from Governour Hutchinson
to the Earl o( Dartmouth, dated Boston, 23d October, 1772.
No. 16. Copv of a Letter from Governour Hutchinson
to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 30th October,
1772, with enclosures.
No. 17. Copy of a Letter from Governour Hutchinson to
the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 3d November, 1772.
No. 18. Printed copy of the Votes and Proceedings of
the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Town of Boston.
No. 19. ExtractofaLetterfrom Governour jywicAiwsonto
the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 22d February, 1773.
No. 20. Printed copy of the Speeches of Governour
Hutchinson to the General Assembly of the Massachusetts
Bay, with the Answers of the Council and House of
Representatives.
No. 21. Copy of Petition and Remonstrance from the
House of Representatives of the Province o[ Massachusetts
Bay, 14th July, 1772.
No. 22. Copy of Petition to the King from the House
of Representatives of 3Iassachusetts Bay, dated 6th March,
1773.
No. 23. Copy of a Letter from Governour Hutchinson
to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 14th February,
1774 ; received 5th April, enclosing,
No. 24. Copy of Governour Hutchinson's Speech to
the Council and House of Representatives, and
their Answer.
No. 25. Copy of Requisition from the House of Re-
presentatives of Massachusetts Bay, to the Judges
of the Superiour Court.
No. 26. Copy of a Remonstrance of the House of
Representatives of Massachusetts i?«y, against the
Chief Justice.
No. 27. Copy of Vote of the Council and House of
Representatives of Massachusetts Bay, for adjourn-
ing the Superiour Court; not consented to by the
Governour.
No. 28. Copy of Governour Hutchinson's Answer to
the Remonstrance of the House of Representatives
against tb.e Chief Justice.
Ordered, That the said Papers be referred to the Com-
mittee appointed to inquire into the several proceedings
in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, in opposition to the
sovereignty of his Majesty in his Parliament of Great Bri-
tain over that Province ; and also what has passed in this
House relative thereto, from the 1st of January, 1764.
Wednesday, April 20, 1774.
The Earl of Buckinghamshire reported fi'om Report fmm
the Lords' Committee, appointed to inquire into po'Jm'd'focou^
the several Proceedings in the Colony of Mas- '"i""'' P"'"^
sachusetts Bail, m opposition to the sovereignty <-i>ionyoi .wnJ-
01 his Majesty m his Parliament oi Great Bri-
tain over that Province ; and also what has passed in this
House relative thereto, from the 1st day of January, 1764,
as follows: —
That in obedience to your Lordships' commands, the
Committee have met, and taken into consideration the mat-
ters to them referred ; and having attentively read and consi-
dered the several Papers which have been laid before the
House, relative to the Proceedings in the Colony of Massa-
chusetts Bay, in opposition to the sovereignty of his Ma-
jesty in his Parliament of Great Britain over that
Province ; and having also carefully inspected the Journals
of the House, from the 1st day of January, 1764, to the
|)resent time, they find that, on the 2d day joumai., April
of April, 1764, a Bill was brought up from the ^' "■'^•
Commons to your Lordships, intituled, '' An Act forgrant-
" ing certain Duties in the British Colonies and Plantations
13
KING'S MESSAGE, IMARCH 7, 1774.
14
" in America ; for continuing and amending, and making
" perpetual, an Act, passed in tlie sixth year of the reign
"of his late Majesty, King George the Second, intituled
" ' An Act for the better securing and encouraging the
" Trade of his Majesty's Sugar Colonies in America;' for
" applying the produce of such Duties, and of the Duties to
" arise by virtue of the said Act, towards defraying the ex-
" penses of defending, protecting, and securing, the said
" Colonies and Plantations ; lor explaining an Act, made
" in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of King Charles the
" Second, intituled ' An Act for the Encouragement of the
" Greenland and Eastland Trades, and for the better se-
" curin« the Plantation Trade ;' and for altering and dis-
" allowing several Drawbacks on Exports from this King-
" dom, and more effectually preventing the clandestine
" conveyance of Goods to and from said Colonies and Plan-
" taiions, and improving and securing the Trade between
" the same and Great Britain."
April Mh and That this Bill passed the House on the 4th
*'*• oi April, and received the Royal assent on the
following day.
The Committee having perused the Report of the
Dtmuhrr uth, Board of Trade, of the 11th day oi December,
"Ti 1764, and the Papers laid before his Majesty
Hepiwuiaiion therewith, find in the said Papers the strongest
or llu- Board ol . ' , /• i 31 i 7
Trade to iiii asscrtious by the Assembly ol the Massachusetts
»j«t>- Bay, of their sole right to pass laws, particu-
larly of taxation ; and of their resolution to invite the other
Colonies to combine with them in measures to prevent the
King, in his Parliament, from passing any such laws; for
instance, in a letter to Mr. Manduit, then Agent
ExtracuVroin of the Province, which was drawn up by a Com-
I.nh"-'Huus!.''of niittee of the House of Representatives, and
?f'tl['c;li''n')"ar afterwards approved by the House, they used
Maisachuicits ji,g following exoressious
Bm, 1st, Sth, . °i '1 1 1
1 III, and utii " Provmce should nave
JUM, 17M.
; " The silence of the
been imputed to any
" cause, even to despair, rather than be con-
" strued into a tacit cession of their rights, or an acknow-
" ledgement of a right in the Parliament of Great Britain
" to impose Duties and Taxes upon a People who are not
" represented in the House of Commons ;" and in the same
letter they avowed and authenticated the doctrines advanced
in a certain pamphlet, intituled, " The Rights
o?.Vb,'Kikfrom of the Brt^w/j Colouics asserted and proved;"
Sdof'the'CoUk written by James Otis, Esq. ; which pamphlet,
amongst other things, says, " That the imposi-
" tion of taxes, whether on trade or on land, on houses or
" ships, on real or personal, fixed or floating property, in
" the Colonies, is absolutely irreconcilable with the rights
" of the Colonists, as British subjects, and as men."
■loiirnaii Feb- The Committee find that, on the 28th day
ruaryii, 1795. gf February, 1765, a Bill was brought from the
Commons, intituled, "An Act for granting and applying
" Stamp Duties and other Duties in the British Colonies
"and Plantations in America; towards further defraying
" the expenses of defending, protecting, and securing the
" same ; and for amending such parts of the several Acts
" of Parliament relating to the Trade and Revenues of the
" said Colonies and Plantations, as direct the manner of
" determining and recovering the penalties and forfeitures
" therein mentioned."
That the said Bill received the Royal assent on the 22d
of the same month.
That on the 17th day of December, his
Majesty declared, in his most gracious Speech
from the Throne, "That tiie matters of importance which
" had lately occurred in some of his Colonies in America,
" were the principal cause of his Majesty's assembling his
" Parliament sooner than was usual in times of peace."
No. 17. '^ appears to the Committee, from the voles
Vote, of the of the House of Representatives of the Colony
HouNe nf Rep- -n-- , r^' r ^ ^ \ r i
re.entaiivr», ol Massachusetts Bau, ol the oth ol June, 1765,
June Oth, 1765. , •' ' , . ,, mi .
that they came to a Kesolution, " That it was
" highly expedient there should be a meeting, as soon as
" might be, of Committees from the Houses of Reprcsent-
" atives or Burgesses, in the several Colonies on the
" American Continent, to consult on their then present
" circumstances, and the diflicultics to which they were re-
" duced by the operation of the late Acts of Parliament,
" for levying Duties on the Colonies, and to consider of a
" general Address to his Majesty and the Parliament, to
December 17th.
" implore relief; and that letters should be forthwith. pre-
" pared and transmitted to the respective Speakers of the
" several Assemblies, to invite them to accede to ,y,,, j„„e sn,
" this proposition :" and further, that on the Sth ""*' ^°'''' ""•
of June, they did actually elect three persons to be their
Committees ; and also voted £450 to bear their exi)enses.
Your Committee find, in a letter from the no. 21.
Governor to the Lords Commissioners for Trade ^tru'T'uiM,
and Plantations, dated August 15tl), 1765, an ;f,"*;i;"'''i'JIiji
account of a violent riot at Boston, in resistance comnn>*i™en
to a law passed by the Legislature of Great Plantations
Britain, in which an attack was made upon Mr. Oliver,
Distributer of Stamps, and carried to the length of pulling
down and destroying his houses, manilbstinii a resolution,
if they could have found him, of putting him to death ;
upon which occasion the backwardness and indisposition of
the Council to support the peace and good order of Gov-
ernment, were very ajjparent. Also, in another x„. 22.
letter from the Governor, ihxted August 31st, fjfjfJfJt'TOo'J
1765, to the said Board of Trade, they find IZ^'J-I'I^'a^
that the mob attacked the house of Mr. Storey,
Register of the Admiralty, which they demolished ; they
also took all his books and papers, amongst which were
the Records of the Court of Admiralty, and burnt them,
and searched about for him, with an intent to murder him ;
they also pillaged the house of Mr. Hallowe/l, Comptroller
of the Customs. But their most violent proceeding was
against the Lieutenant Governor, whose house, plate,
books, and manuscripts, to a very great value, they totally
destroyed. And, in this great extremity, the Council
being, as the Governor observes, dependent upon the peo-
ple, refused even to concur with him in his proposition of
giving notice to General Gage of the then situation of the
town of Boston.
It is remarkable that this commotion entirely To.zt.
arose out of the town oi Boston ; for though it i.f,r'(rj' i.tteito
was given out that many People out of the 'ilaifai'^'ciiJit
country were concerned in diis affair, upon in- ^/„'j"Tjth ami
quiry, it was found that such persons living out '"'■' ""■
of Boston as were seen in the crowd, were there merely as
spectators.
In Governor Bernard's letter to the Board of xo. m.
Trade, of October 12th, 1765, he says, " That ,,»"(/v'leite"o
" the real authority of the Government is at an Vrade,"o«<p4o-
" end ; some of the principal ringleaders in the '^'''' '""•
" late riots, walk the streets with impunity ; no Officers dare
" attack them ; no Attorney General prosecute them ; no
" Witness appear against them ; and no Judges sit upon
"them."
And during the general disorder, the Gov- ao^Iml^'Ber.
ernor thought it necessary for some companies 'i";^f%["n"'Jy
of the Militia to be mustered, with the unani- c«atoy.fl"»rwi
1 . ,■ ■ /-< Ml 1 I nfi- • ^cvemOer Hit,
mous advice of the Councd, but that the Militia ires.
refused to obey his orders. No. 71.
, , /. 1 1 1- 1 . . 'J Kxtr.ic-tof a ret-
And we find that so little attention was paid ter from Gov-
to an Act of the British Legislature, by the ,"'7. pnvZit
Council and House of Representatives, that ,^;,1o^".i,!j|^"j'
they resolved in a joint Committee, on the •25th j,,,^;,";,?-;;,, „f
of October, 1765, that it should and might be thicouiKiianci
... . I o • ? House (.f Itt ()-
lawfiil to do business without stamps, notwith- rMentativi,,
Standing the Act of Parliament to the contrary.
On the 14th day of January, 1766, upon the joumai>, ymK-
meeting of the Parliament, after the recess at "'" ''"''' ''""•
Christmas, his Majesty was pleased to declare himself in a
most gracious Speech from the throne, in the following
terms :
" My Lords and Gentlemen : When I met you last, I
" acquainted you that matters of importance had happen-
" ed in America, which would demand the most .serious
" attention of Parliament.
" That no information which could serve to direct your
" deliberations in so interesting a concern might be want-
" ing, I have ordered all the Papers that give any light
" into the origin, the jjrogress, or the tendency, of the
" Disturliances which have of late prevailed in some of
" the Northern Colonies, to be immediately laid before
" you.
" No time has been lost, on the first advice of these
« Disturbances, to issue orders to the Governors of my
" Provinces, and to the Commanders of my Forces, in
" America, for the exertion of all the powers of the Go-
15
KINGS MESSAGE, MARCH 7, 1774.
16
January <3.
January 27.
January 38.
February 10.
" vernment in the suppression of riots and tumults, and in
" the effectual support of lawful authority.
" Whatever remains to be done on this occasion, I coin-
" mit to your wisdom, not doubting but your zeal for the
" honor of my Crown, your attention to the just rights and
" authority ot the British Legislature, and your afleclion
" and concern for the welfare and prosperity of all my
" People, will guide you to such sound and prudent resolu-
" tions as may tend at once to preserve those constitutional
" rights over the Colonies, and to restore to them that
" harmony and tranquillity which have lately been inter-
" rupted by riots and disordere of the most dangerous na-
" ture."
In the dutiful Address which was voted the same day,
the House assure his Majesty, " of their hearty concur-
" rence with his Majesty's most salutary intentions; that
" they would exert their utmost endeavours to assert and
" support his Majesty's dignity and honor, and the legisla-
" tive authority of this Kingdom over its Colonies ; and
" that they would take into tiieir consideration the most
" proper methods to provide for the restoration of tranquil-
" litv to those Colonies which had been disturbed by such
" violent and dangerous commotions."
Upon the same day all the Papers relating to
joam.K IMS. jj^g information and advices received from Ame-
rica, of the riots and tumults there, were laid before the
House.
More Papers relating to America were laid
before the House, which, together with the other
Papers, were referred to a Committee of the whole House
for Tuesday, tiie 28th.
More Papers were laid before the House,
and referred to the said Committee.
The Committee met, and after several ad-
journments, on the 10th oi February, following,
the Chairman reported several Resolutions, which were
agreed to by the House, as follows :
" 1. Resolved, That the King's Majesty, by and with the
advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal,
and Conmions of Great Britain, in Parliament assembled,
had, hath, and of right ought to have, full power and au-
thority to make Laws and Statutes of sufficient force and
validity to bind the Colonies and People of America, sub-
jects of the Crown of Great Britain, in all cases whatso-
ever.
" 2. Resolved, That it appears to this Committee, that
Tumults and Insurrections of the most dangerous nature,
have been raised and carried on in several of the North
American Colonies, in open de6ance of the Power and
Dignity of his Majesty's Government, and in manifest viola-
tion of the Laws and Legislative authority of this Kingdom.
" 3. Resolved, That it appears to this Committee that the
said Tumults and Insurrections have been encouraged and
inflamed by sundry Votes and Resolutions, passed in seve-
ral of the Assemblies of the said Provinces, derogatory to
the honor of his Majesty's Government, and destructive of
the legal and constitutional dependency of the said Colo-
nies on the Imperial Crown and Pariiament of Great Bri-
tain.
" 4. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee,
that an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, to
desire that his Majesty would be graciously pleased to give
instructions to the Governors of the several Provinces
wlicre the above mentioned Tumults and Insurrections have
happened, that they should, in his Majesty's name, require
of the Asseniblies of the said Provinces, to make proper
recompense to those who have suffered in their persons
or properties, in consequence of the aforesaid Tumults and
Insurrections ; and to assure his Majesty that this House
will, upon this and all occasions, support the lawful authori-
ty of his Crown, and the rights of Parliament.
" 5. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee,
that all his Majesty's subjects, residing in tiie said Colonies,
who have manifested their desire to comply with, or to as-
sist in, carrying into execution, the Act for laying a duty on
Stamps, or any other Act of Pariiament, in the British
Colonies in North America, h'd\e acted as dutiful and loyal
subjects, and are therefore entitled to, and will assuredly
have, the favor and protection of this House."
" Ordered, That an humble Address be presented to his
Majesty, pursuant to the fourth Resolution."
On the 5th of March, & Bill was brought war.Ajth.
from the Commons, intituled, " An Act for the
" better securing the Dependency of his Majesty's Domin-
" ions in America upon the Crowti and Parliament of
" Great Britain."
Which Bill received the Royal assent on the 18lh of the
same month.
And also a Bill intituled, " An Act to repeal an Act made
" in the last session of Pariiament intituled, ' An Act for
" granting and applying certain Stamp Duties, and other du-
" ties in the British Colonies and Plantations in America;
" towards further defraying the expenses of defending, pro-
'•■ tecting, and securing the same; and for amending such
" parts of the several Acts of Parliament relating to the
" Trade and Revenues of the said Colonies and Planta-
" tions, as direct the manner of determining and recover-
" ing the penalties and forfeitures therein mentioned.' "
VVhich Bill received the Royal assent on the March isih.
18th of March.
Whilst the Bill for repealing the Stamp Act was under
deliberation, petitions from the Merchants of the city of
Bristol, from the Merchants of Glasgow, from Edtvard
Montague, Agent for the Colony of Virginia, and from
the Merchants of the city of London, in favor of the said
repeal, were received and read.
On the 2d of June, a Bill was brought from juneu.
the Commons, intituled, " An Act for indemni-
" fying persons who have incurred certain penalties inflicted
" by an Act of the last session of Pariiament, ' for granting
" certain Stamp Duties in the British Colonies and Plaa-
" tations in America ;' and for making valid all instruments
" executed or enrolled there on unstamped paper, vellum,
" or parchment."
Which Bill received the Royal assent on the 6th of
the same month.
It appears by a letter from Governor Ber- j,„ ,„_
nard to the Earl of Shelburne, dated Decern- £»'">'< of » let-
ipr Iron) *jOv.
ber 24tb, 1766, that the Governor, by advice Brrnm rf, to tho
of the Council, ordered the Mutmy Act and *urn<-, Bottm,
three other Acts to be printed by the Printer "^' '
of the Laws, in the interval of the adjournment of the
Assembly. Two companies of Artillery being driven on
shore by distress of weather, and the said Act of Parlia-
ment having been consulted, the Council advised the
Governor to order the Commissary to supply them with
what they demanded under the Act, which was done. Upon
the meeting of the Assembly a Message was sent to the
Council, and carried by five members, to inquire " by what
" authority Acts of Parliament were registered amongst
" the laws of that Province ; and whether they knew of
" any Act (meaning of Assembly) requiring the registering
" of Ordinances (their term for Acts of Parliament) which
" their Legislature never consented to."
The Committee find that, on the 12th of j„„n„],
March, 1767, the Ixird Wycombe (by his Ma- ^"^"^Aiith.
jesty's command) laid before the House copies
of letters, &.c., from his Majesty's Governors in America,
which were ordered to lie on the table.
That on the 3d oi April more copies of let- ApriiM.
ters from his Majesty's Governors in America,
were laid before the House, and ordered to lie on the table.
That on the 14tli of May, it was ordered
that an humble Address should be presented to
his Majesty, " That he would be graciously pleased to
" give directions that there might be laid before this House
" copies of all Reports made to or by the Commissioners
" of Trade and Plantations, together with all Orders and
" Proceedings made or had by the Secretaries of State, or
" his Majesty's Privy Council, relating to the Bill passed
" by the Governor, Council, and Assembly of the Massa-
" chusctts Bay, for granting compensation to the sufferers,
" and of free and general pardon, indemnity, and oblivion
" to the offenders in the late times, from the time of the
" receipt of the said Bill."
That on the 18th day of May, pursuant to May isth.
the said Address, the Lord Wycombe laid before
the House, a copy of the Report of the Committee of
Council, &ic., wliich papers were ordered to lie on the table.
That on the same day it was ordered, that an humble
Address should be presented to his Majesty, " That he
" would be graciously pleased to give directions, that there
May 14th.
17
KING'S MESSAGE, MARCH 7, 1774.
18
May 32d.
Jutu t3lh.
" might be laid before this House, copies of such prece-
" dents as had been, or might be found, of Orders in Coun-
" cil, declaring Acts of Assembly in America, to be null,
" illegal, or void; togetiier with Reports of the several
" Attorneys, and Solicitors General, or either of them, in
" similar cases, read at the Council Board on the 9th in-
" stant."
That on the 22d of May, the Lord Wycombe,
(by his Majesty's command,) laid before the
House copies of such precedents as had been found, of
Orders in Council, declaring Acts of Assemblies in America
to be null, illegal, and void ; together with Reports of the
several Attorneys, and Solicitoi-s General, or either of them,
in similar cases.
Which Papers were ordered to lie on the table ; and from
a perusal of them we find that several Acts of different
Colonies have been, from time to time, declared by his
Majesty in Council, to be null, illegal, and void.
That on the 15th of June a Bill was brought
juncin . ^p j.^^^ ^1^^ Commons intituled, " An Act to
" enable his Majesty to put the Customs and other Duties
" in the British Dominions in America, and the execution
" of the laws relating to Trade there, under the manage-
" ment of Commissioners to be appointed for that purpose,
" and to be resident in the said Dominions.
Which Bill received the Royal assent on the 29th of the
same month.
That on the 18th of June a Bill was brought
up from the Commons, intituled, " An Act for
" granting certain Duties in the British Colonies and Plan-
" tations in America ; for allowing a drawback of the duties
" of Customs upon the exportation from this Kingdom of
" coffee and cocoa nuts, of the produce of the said Co-
" lonies or Plantations ; for discontinuing the drawbacks
" payable on china earthen ware, expoited to America ;
" and for more effectually preventing the clandestine run-
•' ning of goods in the said Colonies and Plantations."
Which Bill received the Royal assent on the 29th of
June.
No. 116. ^ Th^ Committee find that, on the meeting of
No. 117. \ the Assembly of the Province of Massachusetts
M«Mg,fron. Bay, on the 2Sth of January, 1767, a Message
the Hi.uie of y^ag ggnt to the Governor from the House of
to (iovemor Representatives desiringto be informed, " Whe-
«id i'lra'prilate " tlier any provision had been made at the
SLr«,''dai " expense of that Government for the King's
r4''«.T'mh; " Troops lately arrived in the harbour of Bos-
i767,aiso us. ' u (fy„ ." a„(} that after having had the Minutes of
Council (by which it expressly appeared that the provision
for the Artillery companies at the Castle, was made in pur-
suance of the then late Act of Parliament) laid before
them, they replied that, " In giving orders, with the advice
" of the Council, for making provision for the Artillery
" companies at the Castle the Governor had acted in an
" essential point against the plain intention of the Charter,
" by which alone, and that only, according to such Acts as
" are or may be in force within this Province, the Governor
" and Council were authorized to i.ssue money out of the
" Treasury ; " adding, " That it was still more grevious to
" them to find the Governor stating, as the foundation of
" the proceeding, a late Act of Parliament, which to them
" appeared as great a grievance as the Stamp Act, which
" took away the unalienable right of freedom from all
" Taxation, but such as they should voluntarily consent to
" and grant."
No 115. Governor Bernard was obliged in his Re-
t^r'Troin'ooT joinder, 14th and 18th Fc'6n<nry,1767, carefully
Beniarii to Kir\ to avoid giving the Act of Parliament as the
loB, i4ih and foundation ot the provision made : he would
laih Frf. 1787. , . » 1 1 1 .u r »i
otherwise not have had the concurrence ol the
Council ; for though the greater part, he believed, had a
due respect for Acts of Parliament, not one of them would
have dared to avow it in that instance, and at that time.
Journal. jtfarcA The Committee find that, on the 2d of March,
2d, 1768. 1768, a Bill was brought up from the Commons,
intituled, " An Act for the more easy and effectual recove-
" ry of the Penalties and Forfeitures inflicted by the Acts
" of Pariiament, relating to the Trade or Revenues of the
" British Colonies and Plantations in America."
Which Bill received the Royal assent on the 8th of the
same month.
Fourth Series. 2
It appears to the Committee, that by a cir- cTrcui^u^'r
cular letter from the House of Representatives ron<aii>ed in
of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, address- toK-'sMiiZnt.
ed to all the Assemblies upon the Continent of fX^rn'mt'.
North America, they desired the assent of
those Assemblies to their sentiments and proceedings ; ac-
quainting them, that they had represented to his Majesty
that the Acts of Parliament of Great Britain, imposing
duties upon that Province, with the sole and express pur-
pose of raising a Revenue, are infringements of their
natural constitutional rights, and desired them to point out
any thing further that might be necessary to cany their
system into execution.
In this year the Assembly, at the election oo^'a^nmrd',
of the Council, left out all the Crown Officers, '"'" «> Lord'
which measure had been before adopted, in "th. "k, ''ma
the years 1766 and 1767. 'S.Z.'^''
In the beginning of May, 1768, subscriptions ^^ j^,
were made, and Associations entered into, for gov. arnoVrf'^
the non-importation of goods from Great Bri- nes, and May
tain ; but tliis last measure was at that time ' ' ^'
defeated by the merchants in the other Colonies refusing
to concur in it.
On the 9th day of May, 1768, regular seizure „. '^°- '^^.
was made by the Collector and Comptroller of """''' 'i-"" "f
the Customs, of the sloop Liberty, belonging f- sMiJnU ;
to Mr. Hancock, of the town of Boston, which ''""no^'it'j!"
occasioned a most violent tumult ; the Collector • nS^^.f Vh^
and Comptroller, with the son of the Collector, 'f"',h"'cu™^.
were attacked by a numerous and outrageous 'p ">i- 1"''''"''"
111 11 • *''*^ ' reasiir)-,
mob, who beat and abused them in a most cruel Junemb,n6%;
manner ; and in the night attacked their houses,
broke the windows, seized on a boat belonging to the Col-
lector, which they carried away in triumph, and afterwards
burnt. The Commissioners of the Customs expecting the
same treatment, the riot still continuing, thought it pnident
to retreat for safety till midnight with their families, to the
houses of some persons in the neighbourhood ; and after-
wards, upon conviction that their lives were in danger, took
refiige on board his Majesty's ship the Romney, then in
the harbour of Boston ; and for their further security, from
thence into Castle William. During the time of this, their
perilous situation, they applied several times by letter to the
Governor and Council for protection, but couM procure no
assistance whatsoever ; and were finally told, in a letter
from Governor Bernard, dated June 13th, that " After
" several hours deliberation of the necessity of taking some
" measures to preserve the peace of the town, and what
" those measures should be, the Council had come to
'• resolution that, as there appeared to be no immediate
•' danger of further violences, they were of opinion that it
" would be best to refer this matter to the consideration of
" a Committee of both Houses, and that therefore the
" Governor at present could not let them know what kind
" of aid and protection they might expect to receive."
The consequence of which was, that they received no
protection whatsoever. The disorder and con- ^.^ ^^
fusion remained in this state unnoticed till the J.""™''' "'j^J
22d July, when the Governor moved the Coun- «"d swh July,
cil to take into consideration some measures for
restoring vigor and firmness to Government ; but on the
29th of July, the Council made a reply to what had been
proposed to them by the Governor, in which they state,
" That the disorders which happened were occasioned by
" the violent and unprecedented manner in which the sloop
" Liberty had been seized by the officers of the Cus-
" toms."
In consequence of this disorderly state at N„,ra'tiv''poftiie
Boston, two regiments having been set thi- '?"■ ,''„"^'"
ther from Halifax, m order to support the
execution of the civil power, and preserve the peace of
the town, strict orders were given, and repeated to the
troops, not to quarrel with the townsmen, by whom they
complained they had been frequently ill treated and in-
sulted.
On Monday, the 5th of March, 1768, at nine at night, the
alarm bells were rung, as in cases of fire : the fire said to be
in Kings street, and the People thereby led thither, where,
finding the alarm false, they joined a multitude who had
been braving two companies at the gates of their barrack,
and threatened with death the centinel who was posted at
t9
KING'S MESSAGE, MARCH 7, 1774.
•iO
Cafiuiiu Prtt-
f«ll*« COiC.
the custom house, where the King's treasure was lodged.
Tlie ceniiiiel being surrounded was forced to retreat, and
call for aid, wliicii brought Captain rrvston, Captain of
the day, with a party Iroin tiie main guiird, to extricate
hira. 'I'liat ofiicer used his utmost endeavours
to prevent mischief, notwithstanding wliich, the
rioters by blows and every act of aggravation,
drew upon themsLlves the fire of several of the soldiers,
by which some pt-rsons unfortunately were killed ; and upon
the Governor's olier.ng to obtain tiie Coinmandiiig Oliicer's
consent to remove one of the regiments to tlie Castle, and
to station the other so as no opportunity of disputes with
the townsmen shoulJ remain, the Counc.l insisted tliat both
.J, ,„ regiments should go, giving fur a reason that
(.i.ui. g'.v. tlie People would most certainly drive out the
rhr*KT'-uf troops and that tiie inliahiiants of otlier towns
Sr-^'l- would join with Jhston in it; an.l several of
Marc',, 1774. ^^^^^^^ declared, that they did not judge Iroin the
general ten.per of the People only, but they knew it to be
the determination, not of a mob, but of the generality ol
the principal inhabitants; in consequence of which both
ref'inients were accordingly removed.
". In the Petition presented to the Governor
petili.m'?^'.i.e by several People of consideration, in pursuance
r"<°m°r' of a resolution of a town meeting, held at that
fr.TTVr™ time, they disavow the Legislative authority of
""■'"• this country, and assert that it wculd be better
for them to struggle against it, than tamely to relinquish
their rights. , , , , r _■ u
And the Assembly absolutely refused, by a
*mw°'r"f'ihe ^reat majority, to rescind their former order
"""■»I'iv«Tf of sending circular letters to the other Colonies,
IL^'uMhV'of- though tliey had received a positive requisition
wrmir.juntJo, from^hc Crowii to that pur|)ose.
An Association was entered into the beginning
s?r°"'v«n«, of August, wiion most of the merchants of
Mi"Zg.'.'\"'il Boston entered into and subscribed an agree-
Ttl'T "'"''"^ ment, that they would not send for, or import,
any kind of goods or merchandise from Great
Britain, some few articles of necessity excepted, from the
1st of January, 1769, to the 1st of Januari/, 1770 ; and
that they would not import any tea, paper, glass, or
painters' colours, until the Act, unposing duties on those
articles, should be repealed.
It was also voted in a town meeting of the
vrJ^l% «t freeholders and other inhabitants of Boston,
the town nif I- Sevtemhcr 12th, that the levying money within
inr »t Bm on, , ^r ,^ . I- , 1 • r .1
September uiii. that Proviuce, lor tlie use and service ol the
1768. Crown, in other manner than the same is grant-
ed by the great and general Court or Assembly of the
Province, was in violation of the said Royal. Charter, and
the same was also in violation of the undoubted natural
riffhts of subjects, declared in the aforesaid Act of Parlia-
ment, (meaning the Act of Succession,) freely to give and
grant tiieir own money for the service of the Crown, with
their own consent in person, or by Representatives of their
own free election.
They also voted tliat, as the Governor did not
think proper to call a general Court for the
redress of their (supposed) grievances, the town should
tlien make choice of a suitable number of persons to act for
them as a Committee in Convention, w'ith such as migbt
be sent to join them from the several towns in that Pro-
yince, in order that such measures might be consulted and
advised as his Majesty's service, and the peace and safety
of his subjects in the Province, might require.
They also voted tliat, as t'lcre was at that time a pre-
vailing apprehension in the minds of many, of an approach-
ing war with France, in order that the inhabitants of that
town might be prepared, in case of sudden ('anger, that
those of the said inhabitants who might at that time be un-
provided, should he, and thereby were, requested duly to
observe at that time the law of the Province, whereby it is
required that every listed soldier and other householder,
(except troopers, who by law, are otherwise to be provi-
ded,) shall always be provided with a well fixed firelock,
musket, accoutrement, and ammunition, as in the said law
Is particularly mentioned, to the satisfaction of the com-
missioned officers of the company.
Tliey also voted that a letter should be written
to the several towns \a the Provicce, zs follows :
" Gentlemen : You are already too well ac- no.iis.
quainted with the melancholy and very alarming Jv',',',"Ii'.l' sfu^I
circumstances to which this l^rovince, as well .t'^.'.'.^.Iif;!';^
as America in general, is now reduced ; taxes, i?"*-
eciually detrimental to the commercial interests of the
Parent Country and her Colonies, are imposed on the
People without their consent; taxes designed for the su|)-
port of the civil Government in the Colonics, in a manner
clearly unconstitutional, an^l contrary to that in which, till
of late. Government has been supported by the free gift of
tiie People in the Ameririin Asseiablics or Parliaments; as
also for the maintenance of a large stand.ng army, not for
the defence of the newly acquired Terrltorits, lut for the
old Colonies, and in time of peace. Ti:e decent, humble,
and truly loyal applications and petitions from the Kcprt-
scntatives of this l*rovince, for the redress of these heavy
and very threatening grievances, have hitherto been inef-
fectual, being assured from authentic intelligence, that they
have not yet readied the Royal ear. Tne only elfect of
transmitting applications liitherto perceivahle, I as been a
mandate from one of his Majesty's Secretaries of State to
the Governor of iliis Province, to dissolve the General
Assembly, merely because the late Ilcuse of Representa-
tives refused to resc'nd a resolution of a former House,
which implied nothing more than a right in the American
subjects to unite in humble and dut ful petitions to their
gracious Sovereign, when they found themselves aggrieved.
Tiiis is aright naturally inherent in every man, and express-
ly recognised at the glorious revolution, as the birth-right
of an Englishman.
" Tnis dissolution you are sensible has taken pla?e. The
Governor has publicly and repeatedly declared that he
cannot call another Assembly ; and the Secretary of State
for the American Dejiartinent, in one of liis letters, com-
municated to the House, has been p 'eased to say, " That
" proper care will be taken for the support of the dignity of
" Government ;" the meaning of which is too plain to be
niisundeistood. The concern and perplexity into which
these things have thrown the People, have been greatly
aggravated by a late declaration of his Excellency Govern-
or Bernard, that one or more regiments may be expect-
ed in this Province.
" Tlie design of these troops is in every one's apprehen-
sion, nothing short of enforcing, by military pows r, the
execution of Acts of Parliament, in the forming of which
the Colonies have not, and cannot have, any constitutional
influence. This is one of the greatest distresses to which a
free People can be reduced.
" The town which we have the honorto serve, have taken
these things, at their late meeting, into their most serious
consideration : and as there is in the minds of many a pre-
vailing apprehension of an approaching war with Fratice,
they have passed the several votes which we transmit to
you, desiring that tliey may be immediately laid before the
town, whose prudentials are in your care, at a legal meet-
ing, for their candid and particular attention.
" Deprived of the counsels of a General Assembly in this
dark and dillicult season, the loyal People of tliis Province
will, we are persuaded, immediately perceive the propriety
and utility of the proposed Committee of Convention, and
the sound and wholesome advice that may be expected
from a number of gentlemen chosen by themselves, and in
whom they may repose the greatest confidence, must tend
to the real service of our most gracious Sovereign, and the
welfare of his subjects in this Province, and may happily
prevent any sudden and unconnected measures, which, in
their present anxiety, and even agony of mind, they may
be in danger of failing into.
" And it is of inipoitance that the Convention should
meet as soon as may be ; so early a day as the 22d of this
instant, ISeptember, has been proposed for that purpose ; arid
it is hoped, the remotest towns will by that time, or as soon
after as conveniently may be, return their respective Com-
mittees. -
" Not doubting but you are equally concerned with us,
and our fellow citizens, for the preservation of our invaluable
rights, and for the general happiness of our ceuntry, and
that you are disposed, with equal ardour, to exert yourselves
in every constitutional way for so glorious a purpose."
The Committee observe, that it does not appear to them
that any steps were taken to suppress these measures, or
31
KING'S MESSAGE, MARCH 7, 1774.
22
that they were noticed* of by the Council, or any of the
Civil Magistrates.
The Committee tliink it necessary here to insert the fol-
lowing extracts.
Journals, Ko- Tlio first extract is from his Majesty's most
vemi,era,nus. g^jj^io^s Spcechfrom the Throne, on the Hth
day of JSovcmhcr, 1768 :
" At the close of the Inst Parliament, I expressed my
" satisfaction at the appearances whicii then induced me to
4* believe, that such of my subjects as had been misled in
" some parts of my Dominions, were returning to a just
" sense of their duty ; but it is with equal concern that I
" have since seen tliat spirit of faction which 1 had hoped
" was well nigh extinguished, breaking out afresh in some of
" my Colonies in JSoith America, and in one of them, pro-
" ceeding even to acts of violence, and of resistance to the
" execution of the law ; the capital town of which Colony
" appears, by late advises, to be in a state of disobedience to
" all law and Government, and has proceeded to measures
" subversive of the Constitution, and attended withcircum-
" stances that manifi.st a disposition to throw off their de-
" pendence on Great Britain. On my part 1 have pur-
" sued every measure tiiat appeared to be necessary (or
" supporting the Constitution, and inducing a due obedience
" to tiie authority of the Legislature. You may rely upon
" my steady perseverance in these purposes ; and I doubt
" not but tliai, with your concurrence and support, I shall be
" able to defeat the niischevious designs of those turbulent
" and seditious persons, who, under false pretences, have
" but too successfully deluded numbers of my subjects in
" America, and who^e practices, if sufiered to prevail, cannot
" fail to produce the most fatal consequences to my Colonies
" inunediately, and in the end, to all the Dominions of my
" Crown."
The second extract is from your Lordsiiips
y«t«rm <rr9t - jj^,jjc^,[ ^ddress to his Majesty on his said most
gracious Speech :
" We feel the most sincere concern, that any of our fel-
" low subjects in North America, should be misled by fac-
" tious and designing men, into acts of violence, and of
" resistance to the execution of the law, attended witii cir-
" cumstances that manifest a disposition to throw off their
" dependence upon Great BritcAn. At the same time that
'• we shall be always ready to contribute to tlie relief of any
" real grievance of your Majesty's American subjects, we
" mostunfeignedly give your Majesty the strongest assuran-
" ces, that we shall ever zealously concur in support of such
"just and necessary measures, as may best enable your
" Majesty to repress that daring spirit of disobedience, and
" to enforce a due submission to the laws ; always consider-
" ing that it is one of our most essential duties to maintain
" inviolate the supreme authority of the Legislature of
" Great Britain over every part of the Dominions of your
" Majesty's Crown."
The third extract is from his Majesty's most gracious
Answer to your Lordships Address :
" Your zealous concurrence in every measure
s<n-irti fi 1 1 1. ;; ^Y,^^ (..^f, bring relief to my People is well known
" tome, nor do I doubt of the attention that you will always
'• give to any real grievances of my American subjects.
" The strong assurances 1 receive from you at the same
" time of your determination to vindicate the just Legisla-
" live authority of Parliament over all the Dominions of
" my Crown, deserve my warmest approbation.
The Conunittee find that on the 15th of
°""" "" ' Novcm'jer, the Lord Harwich acquainted the
House, "That he had received his Majesty's commands
" to lay before the House, Papers relating to the late Dis-
" turbances in America ; and that the same would be laid
" before the House in a few days."
J J That accordingly, on the 28th o( November,
the Lord Harwich laid before the House,
copies of all Letteis, &,c., relating to the late Proceedings
of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, together with a
list thereof, which was read by the Clerk.
That on the 15th of December, the House
December ^ 5th. i r ii • i *
came to the lollowmg resolutions:
" 1 . Resolved, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in
Parliament assembled. That the votes and resolutions, and
•Sic
proceedings of the House of Representatives of Massachu-
setts Bay, in the months of January and February last,
respecting several late Acts of Parliament, so far as the
said votes, resolutions, and proceedings, do import a denial
of, or to draw into question, the power and authority of his
Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the J>ords
Spiritual and Temporal, and Conmions, in Parliament as-
sembled, to make laws and statutes of sufficient force and
validity to bind the Colonies and People of America, sub-
jects of tlie Crown of Great Biitain, in all cases whatsoever,
are illegal, unconstitutional, and derogatory of the rights of
the Crown and Parliament of Great Britain.
"'2. Resolved, by the Lords Spiritual a7id Temporal in
Parliament assembled, Tliat the resolution of the siiid
House of Representatives of the Province of Massachu-
setts Bay, in January last, to write letters to the several
Houses of Representatives of the British Colonies on the
Continent, desiring them to join with the said Hcuse of
Representatives of the Province o^ Massachusetts Bay, in
Petitions which do deny, or draw into question the right of
Parliament to impose duties and taxes upon his Majesty's
subjects in America ; and in pursuance of the said resolu-
tion, the writing such letters in which certain late Acts of
Parliament, imposing duties and taxes, are stated to be in-
fringements of the rights of his Majesty's subjects of the
said Province, are proceedings of a most unwarrantable and
dangerous nature, calculated to inHame the minds of his
Majesty's subjects in the other Colonies ; tending to create
unlawful coinjjinations, repugnant to the laws of Great
Britain, and subversive of the Constitution.
" 3. Resolved, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in
Parliament assembled, That it appears th.at the town of
Boston, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, has for
some time pa-n been in a state of great disorder and con-
fusion ; and that the peace of the said town has at several
times been disturb^'d by riots and tumults of a dangerous
nature, in which the officers of his Majesty's Revenue
there have been obstructed by acts of violence in the exe-
cution of the laws, and their lives endangered.
" 4. Resolved by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in
Parliament assembled. That it appears that neither the
Council of the said Province of Massachusetts Bay, nor the
ordinary Civil Magistrates, did exert their authority for sup-
pressing the said riots and tumults.
" 5. Resolved by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in
Parliament assembled, That in these circumstances of the
Province of Massachusetts Bay, and of the town of Boston,
the preservation of the public peace, and tiie due execution
of the laws became impracticable without the aid of a mili-
tary force to support and protect the Civil Magistrates, and
the Officers of lis Majesty's Revenue.
" 6. Resolved by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in
Parliament assembled, That the declarations, resolutions,
and proceedings, in the town meeting at Boston, on the 14th
of June, and 12th of September, were illegal and unconsti-
tutional, and calculated to excite sedition and insurrection
in his Majesty's Province of Massachusetts Bay.
" 7. Resolved by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in
Parliament assembled, That the appointment at the town
meeting, on the 12th of September, of a Convention to be
held in the town of Boston, on the 22d of that month, to
consist of Deputies from the several towns and districts in
the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and the issuing a
precept by the Selectmen of the town of Boston, to each
of the said town? and districts for the election of such
Deputies, were jiroceedings subversive of his Majesty's
Government, and evidently manifesting a design in the in-
habitants of the said town of Boston, to set up a new and
unconstitutional authority, independent of the Crown of
Great Britain.
" S. Resolved by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in
Parliament assembled. That the elections, by several towns
and districts in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, of
Deputies to sit in the said Convention, and the meeting of
sucli Convention in consequence thereof, were daring in-
sults offered to his Majesty's authority, and audacious usur-
pations of the powers of Government."
It was then ordered, " That an humble Address be pre-
" seiued to his Majesty, to return his Majesty thanks for
" the communication which he has been pleased to make
" to his Parliament, of several Papers relative to public
23
KINGS MESSAGE, MARCH 7. 1774.
34
Jan. ao, 1769.
•' transactions in his Majesty's Province of Massachusetts
" Bay.
" To express our sincere satisfaction in tlie measures
" wiiicli liLs Majesty has pursued for supporting tlie Consti-
" tution, and inducing a due obedience to the authority ol
" the Legislature.
•' To give his Majesty the strongest assurances tiiat we
•• will effectually stand by and support his Majesty in
" such further measures as may be found necessary to main-
" tain the Civil Magistrates in a due execution of the laws
■ witiiin his Majesty's Province of Massachusetts Bay.
" And as we conceive that nothing can be more inime-
•• diately necessary either for the maintenance of his Ma-
" jesty"s autiiority in the said Province, or for the guarding
" his Majesty's subjects therein from being furtiier deluded
"■ by the arts of wicked and designing men, than to pro-
•' ceed in the most speedy and effectual manner for bring-
" ing to condign punishment the chief authors and insti-
" gators of the lale disorders, to beseech his Majesty, that
^ he will be graciously pleased to direct liis Majesty's
" Govemor of Massachusetts Bay to take the most effec-
" tual methods for procuring the fullest information that can
"■ be obtained, touching all treasons or misprison of treason
■' committed within his Government, since the 30th of
■ December last, and to transmit the same, together with
•" the names of the persons who were most active in the
••' commission of such offences, to one of his Majesty's
" principal Secretaries of State, in order that his Majesty
■" may issue a special commission for inquiring of, hearing,
" and determining the said offences within this Realm,
" pursuant to the provisions of the statute of the thirty-fifth
•' year of the reign of King Henry the Eighth, if Jiis
" Majesty shall, upon receiving the said information, see
'•' sufficient groiuid for such a proceeding."
And a Message was sent to the House of Commons,
to carrj' down the said Resolutions and Address, and de-
sire their concurrence thereto.
On the 20th January, 1769, Lord Harwich,
(by his Majesty's command,) laid before the
House more copies of letters relating to America, which
were ordered to lie on the table.
On the 9tli of February, the Resolutions and
"^m ■ j^djifess^ sent to tlie Commons on the 15tli of
December last, for their concurrence, were returned agreed
to, with some amendments, which were read and agreed
to, and notice thereof sent to the Commons ; and the said
Address was ordered to be presented to his Majesty by
both Houses.
On the 14th of February, the Lord Chan-
"""^^ cellor reported his Majesty's Answer to the said
Address, as follows :
•' My Lords and Gentlemen: The sincere satisfaction
" you express in the mea-sures wliich I have already taken,
■' and the strong assurances yo\i give of supporting me in
" those which may be still necessary, to maintain the just
" legislative authority, and the due execution of the laws,
" in my Province of Massachusetts Bay, give me great
" pleasure.
" 1 shall not fail to give those orders which you recom-
" niend, as the most effectual method of bringing the authors
" of the late unhappy disorders in lliat Province, to con-
" dign punishment."
Which Address and Answer were ordered to be printed.
vidt BwoUa. ^^ *'°''' "°^ appear to the Committee that
acKi Aiidn-w.-. the censure of the proceedings in the Province
°Jt "^viiiim'n^ of Massachusetts Bay, and of the conduct of
ui frt. mi. ji,g Council and otlier Civil Magistrates, ex-
pressed by both Houses of Parliament, in their Resolutions,
and their approbation of the measure of sending troops
thither to support and protect the Magistrates, and theOfli-
cers of the Revenue, produced the good effect that mi"ht
reasonably have been hoped for. A disposition to deny the
authority, and resist the laws of the supreme Legislature,
continued still to prevail, not only in Hagiiious publications
in the daily newspapers, but also in a variety of violent and
unwarrantable resolutions and proceedings of those mer-
chants and others, who had subscribed to the agreements
for non-importation of goods from Great Britain.
Meetings of the Associators were represent-
vide ' Prii'.i.-a ed to have been held, in as regular a manner
*^S(ioii.«nd as any other meeting authorized by the Consti'
tution. Committees were appointed to examine Jk^pn^^'ng)
the cargoes of all vessels arnvnig from Great <h™-"r- Wjcs
Britain; and regular votes and resolutions of
censure were passed in those meetings upon all such as
refused to concur in those unlawful Associations; their
names were published in the public newspapers as enemies
to their country ; and the mandates and decrees of those
Conmiittees* meet with a respect and obedience denied to
the constitutional authority of Government.
in some cases goods imjKjrted from Great Britain were
locked up in ware-houses, under the care of these Com-
mittees, in order to prevent their being sold ; and, in one
or two instances, they were i-e-shipped to Great Britain.
On the 31st of 'May, 1769, the General
Court met at the court house at Boston, j)ur- vi<i.' sii"mn-
suant to his Majesty's writs, and the first step x^.^/^Tjlmr,
the Assembly took, before they proceeded on nee.''"' ■'"'"'
any other business, was to send a Message to
the Govemor, asserting that the having ships in the harbor,
and troops in the town of Boston, was inconsistent with
their dignity and freedom; and, therefore, that they had
a right to expect that he would give orders for the remo-
val of the forces, by sea and land, from that port, and from
the gates of the city, during the session of tlie Assembly ;
and, at the same time, the House came to several resolu-
tions to the same effect as the declarations contained in
their Message to the Governor.
The Governor having in reply to their Message, acquaint-
ed them " That he had no authority over his Majesty's
" ships in that port, or his troops in that town, nor could
" give any orders for the removal of them," they then
proceeded to the election of Counsellors, in which election
not only the Lieutenant Govemor, and other officers of
Government were excluded, but also several other gentle-
men who had been of the former Council, and who (the
Governor represents) shewed a disposition to support the
King's Government, to acknowledge the authority of Par-
liament, and to preserve tlie People from a Democratic
despotism, and were otherwise distinguished by their integ-
rity and ability.
On the 13th of June, tlie Assembly sent an Answer to
the Governor's Message, of the 31st of May, in which he
had told them that he had no authority over the King's
ships or troops. In this Answer they assert that " By the
" principles of the Constitution, the Governor of thatColo-
" ny has the absolute military command ; that the sending
" a mihtary force there to enforce the execution of the laws,
" is inconsistent with the nature of Government, and the
"spirit of a free Constitution ; that the unwillingness of a
" People in general, that a law should be executed, was a
" strong presumption of its being an unjust law ; that it
" could not be their law, as tlie People must consent to
" laws before they can be obliged, in conscience, to obey
" them."
h appears by a vote of the Assembly, on the
8tli of July, that they have declared that all F.xireciuiGo».
trials for treason, misprison of treason, or for ^"'IC Kiri'rf
any felony or crime whatever, committed or ";."7fh'a°,''/mh
done in that Colony, ought of riiiht to be had •'|''V "'^' ™-
and conducted within the courts of the Colon v; «'''"'"'» '•""■e
d, , . . -^ ' House nf Hep-
that the seizing any person or persons, re- rMcmntivn, of
siding in thsit Colony, suspected of any crime ""*"'•'"'''•
whatsoever, committed therein, and sending such person or
persons to places beyond the sea to be tried, is highly de-
rogatory of the rights of British subjects, as thereby the
inestimable privilege of bcnig tried by a Jury from the
vicinage, as well as tiie liberty of summoning and produc-
ing witnesses on such trials, v>'ill be taken away from the
party accused.
On the 6th of April, 1770, a Bill was brought
up from the House of Commons, to your Lord- ^".Tto/^"'
ships, intituled, " An Act to repeal so much of
" an Act, made in tiie sevenlli year of his present Majesty's
" reign, intituled, 'An Act for granting certain Duties in
" tiie British Colonies and Plantations in America ; for
" allowing a drawback of the duties of customs upon the
" exportation from this Kingdom, of coffee and cocoa-nuts,
" of the produce of the said Colonies or Plantations ; for
'• discontinuing the drawbacks payable on china earthen
»Si«.
25
KING'S MESSAGE, MARCH 7, 1774.
26
May 7th.
" ware, exported to America ; and for more effectually
" preventing the clandestine running of goods in the said
" Colonies and Plantations ; ' as relates to tlie Duties upon
" glass, red lead, white lead, painters' colours, paper paste-
" boards, millboard.-^, and scaleboards, of the ])roduce or
" manufacture of G'rent Britain, imported into any of his
" Majesty's Colonies in America; and also to the discon-
" tinuing the drawbacks payable on cliina earthen ware,
" exported to America; and for regulating the exportation
" thereof."
Which Bill received the Royal assent on the 12tli of
April.
.ipriimh. ^" t''6 30th of April, it was ordered '' That
•• an humble Address should be presented to his
" Majesty, that he would be graciously pleased to give
" directions that there be laid before this House, copies of
" all narratives of any disputes or disturbances which have
" happened between his Majesty's troops, stationed in
" North America, and the inhabitants of any of his Ma-
" jesty's Colonies there, since the 24th day of June last,
" received by the Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasu-
'• ry, and of his Majesty's Secretaries of State, or any other
" public officers, together with copies of all orders and in-
" structions .sent to the Governors, Lieutenant Governors,
" Deputy Governors, Presidents of the Council of any of
" his Majesty's Colonies in North America, or to the
" Commander-in-chief of his Majesty's forces, or any offi-
" car, civil, or military, within the same, relative to such
'• disputes or disturbances."
Hay 4ih. -^n*' t'l'-it on the 4th of May, the Lord Hai--
wich, (by his Majesty's command,) laid before
the House, several Papers relating to the late Disturbances
in America, pursuant to an Address to his Majesty, for that
purpose, on the 30th of April last, together with a list
thereof; wiiich were ordered to lie on the table.
The Committee find that, on the 7th of May,
the Lord Harwich, laid before the House, (by
his Majesty's command,) a Narrative of the late transac-
tions at Boston, and the case of Captain Thomas Preston,
of the twenty-ninth Regiment of Foot, which had been
transmitted to his Lordship, from the War Office ; and the
same were ordered to lie on the table.
On the 14th of May it was ordered, that
an humble Address should be presented to his
Majesty, that he would be graciously pleased to give di-
rections, that there be laid before this House, copies of the
Earl o{ Hillsborough's letter of the 13th oi May, 1769, to
the Governors of the several Colonies of North America ;
together with the Speeches of the Governors, referring to
the said letter, and the Answers of the Assemblies to the
same, so far as they have been received.
And on the 15th, the Lord Harwich laid
before the House, by his Majesty's command,
copies of the Earl of Hillsborough's letter of the 13th of
May, 1769, to the Governors of the several Colonies of
North America; together with the Speeclies of the Govern-
ors, referring to the said letter, and the Answers of the
As.semblies to the same, so far as they have been received ;
together with a list thereof; which were ordered to lie on
the table : and the same with the other American Papers
presented in tiiis Session, were also ordered to be taken into
consideration on Friday next ; and the Lords summoned.
N-o.-isfi. The Committee find by Lieutenant Governor
v^mlr" wl °/T Hutchinson's letter of the 27th of March, 1770,
»","'' i.'",*;n,'" tl'at when the troops were in the town, the
E.irl of Hillt- . . c X r^ .. i
btrtugh, iiaitd Commissioners ot the Customs were sensible
' ' ' they could have no dependence upon them, for
if any riot had happened, no Civil Magistrate that he knew
would ha\e employed them in suppressing it ; those who,
from a principle, would have been disposed to it, refusing,
and giving this reason, that they must immediately after
have left the country ; and that just the same principles
pre\'ailed with respect to the troops, which were said to be
unconstitutional, although established by an Act of Parlia-
ment, it being alleged that it was an Act which did not bind
Colonists. ,
Lieutenant Governor Hutchinson, in his
letter to the Earl of Hillsborough, of the 27th
,"""■*""«';;•' , April, 1770, complains, that he has never been
U-tli-r lo Karl i . ' , . r i_
HiiMtrmghM able to obtain the advice or consent of the
jiMjfoy, 1770. Council to any proposal made for discounte-
May mil.
MttV l.'th.
No. 327.
Vide Li'-iilcii.
tut Govimor
nancing the usurpation of the powers of Go\-crnment by
the town of Boston. That he had used the negative
powers given him by Charter, in excluding Mr. Hancock
from being Speaker pro tempore, and Mr. Gushing from
the office of Commissary General, to which offices they
had been elected ; but adds, that this was doing but little,
as he could not remove any of those who were actually in
office, some of whom were more inflammatory than any out
of office; he further says, that they were then attempting
to compel all the importers, of what they call contraband
goods, to send them back, and that he was not sure they
would not succeed ; that all goods which they have not
enumerated are called contraband. That tea from Hol-
land may lawfully be sold ; tliat it is a high crime to sell
any from England. That Mr. Hancock offered to send
one or more of his ships back, and to lose the freight ; that
several of the importers pleaded that they should be utterly
ruined ; but the Boston zealots had no bowels, and gave for
answer, " That if a ship was to bring in the plague, nobody
" would doubt what was necessary to be done with her ; but
"the present case is much worse than that." In the same
letter the Lieutenant Governor observes, " That the Boston
" principles obtain more and more in the remote parts of the
" Province, and the Representatives of seven-eighths of the
" town appear, in the present session, to be favourers of
" the non-importation measures. That their internal dis-
" tresses may, in a course of years, force them to desist, but
" that the distress at present, and it may be for some time to
" come, lies principally upon the friends to Government,
" who run the risk of importing goods, and then are com-
" pelled, by the ruling power, to keep them unsold, or to
" ship them back ; that he made an attempt that day to
" prevail upon a merchant of the first estate and character,
" to induce him to promote an Association, but to no pur-
" pose; and that he gave him for answer, ' that, until Par-
" liament made provision for the punishment of the con-
" federacies, all would be ineiFectual, and the associates
" would be exposed to popular rage." He observed further,
" that the last year, when the King's speech, and the Ad-
" dressses of the Lords and of the House of Commons first
" came to them, the heads of the opposition were struck with
" terror, and the seditious newspaper writers laid aside their
" pens for five or six w-eeks, but as soon as the apprehension
'■ of vigorous measures ceased, their fears were over, and
" they became more assuming and tyrannical than before,
" and although the terror was not so great the present year,
" yet it was visible ; but now, that they expect nothing will
" be done, they are recovering their spirits, knowing there
" is no power within the Government to restrain them.
The resistance to the custom-house officers
still continued to manifest itself upon every oc- i-nt" from
casion,in consequence of which, on the 18th of vemo"'HutcT.
May, 1770, atideman of the customs, who had miZl"^^.''^
seized a small coasting vessel belonging to Con- ""'j^^'^"'"'-
necticut, and a few casks of sugar, for breach of the Acts of
Trade, in the evening was seized, stripped, and carried about
the town, three or four hours, besmeared with tar, and then
covered with feathers, and followed by a great number of
disorderly People,
The Committee do not find in your Lordship's Journals
of the years 1771 and 1772, any material proceedings rela-
tive to the matter to them referred.
Though in the year 1771, things remained
tolerably quiet in the Province of Massachusetts i,i,.^i°;,on'Go-
Bay, yet the disposition to disavow the authority "™7,„ farfrf
of Parliament, occasionally broke out in the miMorough,
IT /-ill 1 • Julytxh, 1771.
House ot Assembly and town meetings ; ac-
cordingly, in an Answer from the House of Representatives
to a Message from the Governor, on the 5th of July, 1771,
they say, that " They know of no Commissioners of his
" Majesty's Customs, nor of any revenue his Majesty has a
" right to establish m North America; that they know and
" feel a tribute levied and extorted from those, who, if they
" have property, have a right to the absolute disposal
''of it."
At the same time, the disposition to import ko.4».
goods in defiance of the laws of Revenue and i.icuten«nt go-
■/_, .... . vt'i-nor Hutch-
Trade, and to support such iniquitous practices, in«r. w Eari of
by insults and open wolences upon the officers ^^J^^aetb,
whose duty it is to carry the said laws into exe- ""•
cution, broke out upon many occasions ; and, as usual, the
27
KING'S MESSAGE, MARCH 7, 1774.
23
Magistrates declined stiving their assistance and support,
though applied to for that purpose ; which a]ij)cars in the
case of Arthur Savage, Comptroller of his Majesty's
Customs at Falmouth, who was forcibly taken out of his
house in the ni£;ht, by several persons disguised and anned
with pistols and other dani^erous weapons, wlio put him in
the utmost danger of his life, and not only ohlij^ed him to
divulge the name of the person who had lodged an informa-
tion, but also to swear to the truth of his information, de-
claring at the same lirr.e, that, if ];e disi-o^ered whotliey
were, they would take his life ; aiul that upon his applica-
tion to tiie Justices, who were then sitting, they declined
the examination of the evidence he brougiit to prove tiie
fact.
xo 310. Things remained much in the same state in
"*"• j*"/,^''//" the year 1772. The continued ill temper of
innuxii. Mr:<, thc People at Jioston was maniiested bv tJieir
Bttiun c.aitiie mstmctions to tiieir Kepresentatives.
^Mav u(ix. (_T|)on the news of his Majesty's granting sala-
(•^^"thJciim- "es to the.Justices of the Supreme Court, tlie
""rtmouM'o?!^ most inflammatory pieces were published in the
(.*fr i3.i, 1772. newspapers, and tlie Selectmen of Boston or-
No. 332. , 1 ' • -J !•
Addn-u,^ Ort« dercd a meetmg to consider ol mea-iures upon
'' ' ' ' that occasion ; which meetin!; voted an Address
to the Governor, in which they say, " That, tlie frechold-
" ers and other inhabitants of the town of Boston, legally
" assembled in Faneuil Hall, bog leave to acquaint his Ex-
" cellency, that a report has prevailed, which they have
" reason to apprehend is well grounded, that stipends are
" affixed to the offices of the Judges of the Superior Court
" of judicature, &c., of this Province, whereby they are be-
" come independent of the grants of the General Assembly
" for their support, conti-ary to the ancient and invariable
" usage.
" Tiiat this report has spread an alarm among all con-
" siderate persons who have heard of it, in town and country,
" being viewed as tending rapidly to com))lcte the sy.^tein
" of their slavery, which originated in the House oi Com-
" nions of Great Britain, assuming a power and authority
'■ to give and grant the money? of the Colonists without
'• their consent, and against their repeated remonstrances.
" And as the Judges hold their places during pleasure, this
" establishment appears big with fatal evils so obvious, that
" it is needless to trespa.ss on your Excellency's time in
" mentioning them."
The Town Meeting afterwards appointed a
oav°rnur' Couuiiittce of Correspondence, to write circular
2;ri''!rf'™«r°. letters to all the towns in tiie Province, to in-
ZVti-nZ'iib tl'ice them to unite in me;isures upon that occa-
Muii"'"'r'' ihu ®'°"' "''''"^*' Committee met on the 2d of No-
.ou-i .nil pro- vcmber. 1772, and made a report, contahiina
Cft-dineij (if ihe i i • i- ^
t.>wiio?B.«™, several resokuions contradictory to the supre-
mj.""'"'*"'' macy of the British Legislature; and after
setting forth, that all men have a right to remain
in a state of nature, as long as tliey please, they proceed to
draw a report upon tlie natural rights of the Colonists, as
No.M<. .™^?' chri<;tians, and .suhjects, and form a list of
ptinu-d voir, infringements and violations of their rights: one
•nd Tirocet-d- c ^\ r c i • i • "^ ^'^^
tnff.ofis.fr..- Ol tlie Inst ol which contains an assertion, that
illliiiun«" "If the British Parliament have assumed the pow-
fu'.",rm., •','>„,:". ers of legislation for the Colonies in all cases
i^^'"'"' "'"• whatsoever, without obtaining the consent of the
inhabitants, which is ever essentially necessary
to the rightful establishment of such a le:.nslation.
They al.so consider it as an infringement of tiieir rights,
that a number of new officers, unknown to the Chaiter, have'
been appointed to superintend the revenues; whereas tiie
great and general Court or Assembly of that Province had
the sole right of appointing all civil officers, excepting only
such officers, the election and rcnslitution of whom isln tl;e
said Charter exjiressly excepted, among whom these officers
are not included.
They likewise complain of it as a giievance, that his
Majesty has been jileased to apply £ 1 500 sterling, annually,
out of the American revenue, ior the support of the Go-
vernment of this Province, independent of tlie As-jembly ;
and th;it the Judges of the Superior Court, as also the
King's Attorney and Solicitor General, are to receive their
support from, wjiat they call, tliis grevious tribute ; which
tliey say, will, if acc(ira])!ished, complete their slavery.
Six hundred copies uf ibis report were circulated in the
towns of the Province, with a pathetic letter addressed to
the inliabitants, who are called u];on not to doze any
longer, or sit supinely in inditference, whilst the iron hand
of oi)|)ressioii is daily tearing the choicest Ihiits from the
fair tree of liberty.
On the (Jtli of May a Message was brought
from the House of Commons to your Lord- 'J™,''""!'-;, "'''
shi]!S, with a Bill, intituled, " An act to allow a
" draw back of the duties of Customs on the exportation of
" Tea to any of his Majesty's Colonies or Plantations in
" America ; to increase the deposit on Bohea tea to be sold
" at the East Lirlia Company's sales ; and to empower the
" Commissioners of the Treasury to grant licences to the
" East In Ha Company to export tea, duty free;" which
Bill received the Royal assent on the 10th o{ May.
It appears to the Committee in the Answer N0.339.
of the Council to the Governor's Speech, at i wil ,"c;l!',*
the opening <^i the session, that t!;ey declare tr,\TmV''i°m-
" Thev are of opinion that tlie Parliament can- ;•""•■' >»>■«■■<*
not, constitutionally, levy taxes, in any form, >'»«.
" on his M;ije3ty's subjects in that Province."
And the House of Kepresentative upon the „ '•'»••';"■
11 1-^1 . . Hnnv lif Iti-p.
same occas-ion. declare, that 11 there have been ■■ "•"miiv.-i »n-
in any late instances a submission to Acts of »'»'• sp..ih.
Parliament, it has been, in their opinion, rather ""' ^'"''•'^'^•
from inconsidenition, or a reluctance at the idea of contend-
ing witii the Parent State, then from a conviction or
acknowledgment of the supreme legislative authority of
Parliament.
The Committee of Corresnondence appear ,. '•■'' ^■'■
to iiave used tlieir utmost endeavours to work "•• '""i Gov.
up the minds of the People, not only for their K«i'i'''.!r''/Mr".
own, but also the Southern Governments, to ]vi'"'''in3'.'iith
l)revent the importation of Te;is from the East j^'elalj^^ms"*^*:
India Company, and accordingly on the 3d of
November, 1773, a mob of about five hundred persons,
committed several outrageous acts of violence, ai^ainst the
persons to whom it was expected the Tea in question would
be consigned, insisting tiiat they should engage and pro-
mise not to receive or sell it ; that if they did, they would
be voted enemies to their country, and must expect to be
treated as such hereafter. They tiien forced open tiie doors
of the ware-houses of Mr. Clark, and tore them off the
liinges, and entered with great violence, attempting to force
their way up to tlie counting-house, but were driven back
by the persons who were in it.
A Committee then of the freeholders and „ N"-303.
Cnpv ttl a *(»le
Other mhabitants, attended Mes.srs. Thomas '•' y '"V
and Elisha Hutchinson, supposed to be two of Km.Nav. isiii,
the consignees, and requested them to resign "xosrs.
their appointment, and upon their refusing, pJiM,','! il.'T*!^
voted tiieir answer unsatisfactory. Governor 'is;'',7"3i''inHi
Hutchinson did every thinij in his power, »■;'! '"(*,''*/'"'■
. 1 rf-, .1 *i. 1 c/iinttm* I. lif r
witiiout the Council, for the preservation of <" -O"- 2. i'm.
the peace and good order of the town, and Extmi.faiet-
thought that if lie had the aid the Council might h'„>JI"!',ok "w
have given, his endeavors would have been nZlthfn'c's"^',
more effiictual. '"'••'■ '""' ''"'
On the 7th November, 1773, a lar<;e number cup''; f.tl; u^e r
of People beset the house of Mr. Ilutchinson, fj"" ooxmar
I r ,• I • I II --' nt'tr/Niisun to
but not nndiiig iiiin at liome, proceeded to Mr. k-h "f onn-
Clark^s, another of tl'e consignees, where they fl»«6/,', su'wrr.
committed great disorders; broke the glasses ''''■""■•.'"".'<<'
and frames of the windows, and did considera- '"'" '^
a eitpy uf lh«
Piliiiiiii of
Ki./.niil Clark
bledamaire. After this riot the Govern* r iin- =""isoi..ii«i>-
. ~ """ rnuruit,
mediately summoned a Council, and laid before ""' ^.'P/"""'
, , ■' . . ' , . anil tlisha llul-
tiiein the necessity of some measures being r/..n.i)ii, ai,d of
taken; but tiie Council declined advising; or If !\'i^".,uuSi
directing any measures for landing the Tea ; ''"'""'"'"•
suggesiini, that tliey then would of course advise* to a
measure for procuring the payment of the duty, and there-
fore be advising to a measure inconsistent with the declared
sentiment of both Houses in the last winter session of the
General Court, which they apprehend to be altogether
inexpedient and improper.
After tlie arrival of a sliip loaded with Tea, copy"t-aT»P"
a meeting of the Peoide o( Boston, and the v'"'uku,i B»f
' , , . lit itiii.vnua Orft
neighbouring towns, was held, on the 29th of i»> r73,iiiG«Y.
November, and continued, by adjournment, till 1. i'uTofJdr)«.
next day, when a motion was made and agreed
•Sic.
J
29
KING'S MESSAGE, MARCH 7, 1774.
30
to, new,, con., that the Tea should be not only sent back,
but that no duty should be paid tiiereon.
It was also voted, ncm. con., that Mr. Rotch, owner of
the vessel, ;uid Captain Hall, the master of tiie ship, at
their per.l, should not suffer any of the Tea to be landed ;
it was also vottd, that Gov. liuUhinsons conduct, in
requesting the Justices of the Peace to meet to suppress
all riots and unlawful assemblies, carried a designed reflec-
tion upon the People there met, and was solely calculated
to serve the views of "Adinini-stnition. They afterwards
voted that the Tea brought by Captain Hall, should be
returned, by Mr. Rotch, to England, in tl.e same bottom
in which it came; it was also voted, nam. con., that six
persons should be appointed to give due notice to the towns
in the country, when they should be required so to do upon
any iinjjortaiu occasion.
They also resolved, that if any person or persons should
hereafter import any Tea from Great Biitain, or if any
master or masters of any vessel or vessels in Great Britain,
should take the s.tnie en board to be imported to that
place, until the said unrighteous Act should be repealed, he
or they shoald he deemed by that body an enemy to his
country, and tiiat t!)ey would prevent the landing and sale
of the same, and the payment of any duty thereon, and
that they would efl'ect the return thereof to the place from
whence it came.
They also resolved that these their votes be printed, and
sent to England, and all the sea ports in the Province.
Befove they separated they voted that their brethren in
the country should be desired to give their assistance upon
the first notice that should be given.
' \'o. ,109. After tl:e dissolution of this Assembly of the
firrc/.v.'/'L" People, what is called the Committee of Cor-
<•*'"''"""'■-»;' respondence, called in Committees of other
Biiitii. Dec. towns, or other persons to jom with them, kept
up a mihtary watch and guard eveiy night, to
prevent the landing any Teas, and appeared to be the
Execut'oners of the resolves and orders passed at the
aforesaid Assembly.
The consignees having retired to the Castle, the owner
of the first ship that arrived was the principal person ap-
plied to, and he was sent for repeatedly by these Commit-
tees, and was frequently required to send back the ship
with the Teas; he pleaded, "That he could not get a
" clearance at the custom-house, nor a pass for the Castle ;
" and that if he should be able to get his ship out of the
" harbour, bDth sliip and cargo would be forfeited in every
" part of the King's dominions." Tliis was not thouglit
satisfactory, and tlie next morning another Assembly of the
People met and chose a Moderator. At this meeting it
was determined, that Mr. Rotch, the owner of the ship,
should demand at the custom-house, a clearance of the
Teas for England, which was done the 15th, when the
Collector and Conq)troller refused to grant it.
v„. 310. He tlien was obliged to demand a permit
fo'.Ttlm''//;;;. '"'■om tl'e Naval Office to pass the Castle ; after-
"''/jn«",S,l ^^^''''^ ^^ "'^s sent to the Governor to apply to
mi"m''' ' ''"" ''"'^ *'"' permit, who soon satisfied him that
no permit could be granted until the vessel was
regularly cleared. He returned to town that evening and
reported this answer to the' meeting. Lmnediately where-
upon nunibers of the People cried out a mob! a mob I left
the house, repaired to t'le wharfs where tliree of the vessels
lay aground, havin;; on board three hundred and forty
chests of Tea, and in two hours t'me it was totally de-
stroyed. A sufficient number of People for doing the work
were disguised, and these were surrounded by numbers, as
svell of tiie inhabitants of lioslon, as of other towns.
xo.59:. The Committee observe, tJiat many persons
ralPv. "h^g"; of consideration in tl;e town oi Boston took the
Mw'.'r^ov. Ie;id in the proceedings of this meeting, for
4iii, 1773. whose names they beg leave to refer your
Lordships to the papers themselves.
j...i™ii ^(h On tlie 4th of March, 1774, tiie Earl of
March.ai*. Drtrt;noM</t acquainted the House, "That his
" Majesty had given directions that the several Papers
" received from America, relating to the Disturbances tlieie,
" with regard to the Impojtation of Tea, should be laid
" before the House ; and that the same would be delivered
" on Monday next."
The Earl of Dartmouth acquainted the House " That
" he had a Message from his Majesty, under March, nik,
" his Royal sign manual, which his Majesty '"*•
" had commanded him to deliver to this House.
And the same was read by the Lord Chancellor, and b
as follows ; (videlicet :)
" GEORGE R.
His Majesty, upon infomiation of the unwarrantable
practices which h.ave been lately concerted and carried on
in Noith America, and part;culai,ly of the violent and
outrageous proceedings at the town and port oi Boston, in
the Province of Massachusetts Bay, with a view to ol)-
structing the commerce of this Kingdom, and upon grounds
and pretences immediately subveisive of tiie Constitution
thereof, hath thought fit to lay tlie whole matter before
his two Houses of Parliament, fully confiding as well in
their zeal for the maintenance of his Majesty's authority, as
in their attachment to tlie common interest and welfare of
all ills Dominions, that they will not only enable his Majesty
effectually to take such measures as may be most likely to
put an immediate step to the present disorders, but will
also lake into their most serious consideration what farther
regulations and permanent provisions may be necessary, to
be established for better securing the execution of the laws,
and the just dependence of the Colonies upon the Crown
and Parliament of Great Britain. G. R."
The Earl of Dartmouth, also, (by his Majesty's com-
mand,) laid before the House, copies of all letters, &,c.,
received from North America, relating to the Disturbances
there with regard to the Importation of Tea, with a list
thereof.
It was ordered, that an humble Address be presented to
bis Majesty, " To return his Majesty the thanks of this
" House for his Majesty's gracious Message, and for the
" communication his Majesty hath been graciously pleased
" to make to this house of the several Papers relative to
" the present state of some of his Majesty's Colonies in
" North America.
" To assure his Majesty, that this House, truly sensible
" that tlie peace and good Government of the Colonies,
" and the prevent"ng any obstructions there to the com-
" merce of this Kingdom, are objects of their most serious
" attention, will enter upon the consideration of these Pa-
" pers with an earnest desire to "make such provisions as,
" upon mature deliberation, shall appear necessary and
" expedient for securing the just dependence of the said
" Colonies upon the Crown and Parliament of Great
" Britain, and for enforcing a due obedience to the laws
" of this Kingdom throughout all his Majesty's domin-
" ions."
And the said Papers and his Majesty's most gracious
Speech were likewi'^e ordered to be taken into consideration
on Thursday sevennight, and the Lords summoned.
On the 11th of March, the Earl of Dart- j^^^^^„^
mouth (by his Majesty's command) laid before
the house more Papers from America, relating to the Dis-
turbances there with regard to the Importation of Tea, to-
gether with a list thereof; and the same was read, and
ordered to lie on the table ; and to be taken into conside-
ration on Thursday next.
On the -^Gth March, a Message was brought ^
from the House of Commons, with a Bill intitu-
led, " An act to discontinue, in such manner, and for such
" time, as are therein mentioned, the landing and discharg-
" ing, lading or shipping, of goods, wares, and merchan-
" disc, at the town and within the hajbour of Boston, in the
" Province of jMassachiisetts Bay, in North America.
On the 28th of March, a Petition of Mr. „ ^„,.^
i:iayer, and others, natives of Amencaywns pre-
sented and read, praying the said Bill may not pass into a
law; which -was ordered to lie on the table. Then the
House took into consideration the several Papers in his
Majesty's most gracious Message ; and the said Bill was
read a second time and committed.
On the :30th of March, a Petition of fHlliam
Bollan, Esq., Agent for the Council ol tlie
Province of Massachusetts Bay, was presented to the House
and read ; and he was called in, and heard at the bar; and
being vvithdrav.n, the said Bill was read a third time and
passed ncm. diss. ; and receiv<?d the Royal assent on thei
foUpwing day.
31
KINGS MESSAGE, MARCH 7, 1774.
32
», ^. It ap-nears to the Cominittee, that on the
LfitrrrroroGo- aSlh of Jdmuinj a great lumibcr ot rioters in tne
]^MVMvC town of Boston, committed a most inluiman
w^rMih act of violence upon the person of Jolm Mal-
jaHuan. 1774. ^.^Ij^ g preventive officer for the port of Fal-
mouth, in Casto Bay, who imd lately seized a vessel in
that port for want of a register; no complaint of irregulari-
ty was made against him, but it was thought proper by the
above rioteis to punisli him by tarring and feathering hiin,
(but whhout stripping him.) and carrying' him about in deri-
sion. This unfortunate man having afterwiu-ds been fre-
quently hooted at in the streets, was provoked on the '25th,
by a tradesman, who, he alleged, had sevei-al times before
affronted him, to strike him witii his cane ; in consequence
of which a warrant was issued against him, but the con-
stable not being able to find him, a mob gatliered about
his house in the evening, and having broke his windows, he
pushed through the broken window with his sword, and
gave a slight scratch to one of the assailants ; soon after
which the mob entered his house, lowered him by a rope
from an upper chamber into a cart, tore his clothes off,
tarred his head and body, feathered him, and dragged him
through the main street into King Street, from thence to
Liberty Tree, and from thence to^TAe Neck, as far as the
gallows, where they whipt him, beat him with sticks, and
threatened to hang him. Having kept him under the gal-
lows above an hour, tliey carried him back in the same
manner, to the extremity of the north end of the town, and
returned him to his own house, so benumbed by the cold,
having been naked near four hours, and so bruised, that his
life was despaired of. It appears that none but the lowest
class of the people were suspected of having been concerned
in it ; and that Mr. Malcolm having for some time before
been threatened by the populace with revenge for his free
and open declarations against the late proceedings, had oc-
casionally indiscreetly given them provocation.
The House of Representatives of Massachu-
ci^mor' sett's Bay, on the 1st o( February, required the
SfJf;"n„" Chief Justice Oliver, and the four Judges of
fti^arf u°h', l'>e Superior Court to declare, whether they
ItesVir^."'' ™' "Of Id receive the grants of Assembly for their
salaries, or accept their support from the Crown,
and were answered by the four Judges, (they being fearful
of making themselves objects of popular resentment, one of
their number having been previously brought over to that
consent,) " that they would receive their salaries fi:om the
" Province ;" but by the Chief Justice, " that he would
N0.34J. "continue to accept his support from the
I^mtraDce^rf " Crown." On the 1 1th of February, they re-
uie HouK of monstrated to the Governor, " That the .said
of Mmtachu- " Chiel Justice 1 eter Oliver, havmg received
•Eainu th« " his Salary and reward out of the revenue un-
" justly and unconstitutionally levied and ex-
" torted from the American Colonies, and being determined
" to continue to receive it, contrary to the known sense
" of the body of the People of the Province, had thereby
" proved himself an enemy to its Constitution, placed
" himself under an undue bias, and rendered hhiiself dis-
" qualified to hold his office any longer." And not having
procured his removal from the Governor in consequence of
xo.343 '''^"^ remonstrance, they passed a vote to
Copy of » vote adjoum the Superior Court, which, by law, is
of the Coiincil ^ , , , , ,' . ,- , y »i i "^ , ^,, .
and Ho.m- of to bc held on the 1.5th ol I'ebrtwry, to the 2-2d
Ft^rm"y''ui", of that month, to which the Governor refused
'"*• his assent, and complains that he now considers
himself as acting altogetiicr on the defensive, avoiding his
consent where he cannot justify it, destitute of any aid from
any part of the Legislature or Executive Powers of Govern-
ment in maintaining order, when the breach of it is caused,
or pretended to be caused by such Acts of Parliament, or
such exercise of his Majesty's authority, as the People are
taught by their leaders to call grievances.
Which Report being read by the Clerk,
Ordered, that the said Report be printed.*
•m the SprinfT of 1774, I Brit out with Mr. and Mrs. IzanI, to make
a lour of France ami Italt/ : but provions to my jroinf;, I drew up a
pierc pntitli^l " A Truo Stitc of the Proccodinirg in the Province of
.VantachuKtf Bay," which h is been attributed to Dr. Fianklin, be.
Ciuisa it was left wit)i him, as agent, to hive it printed. The purpose
oi It w.ns to remove the unjust iind injuriouH impresi-ions made by a
Ruport of a C'ommittae of the House »f Lorde, on the same aubicct. —
Arthur Lee, Vol. I, p. 262.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
March 1th, 1774.
The Lord North acquainted the House, that he had a
Message from his Majesty to this House, signed by his
Majesty ; and he presented the same to the House ; and
it was read by Mr. Speaker, (all the members of the House
being uncovered,) and is as iollowetli, viz :
GEORGE R.
His Majesty, upon information of the unwanantable
practices whicli have been lately concerted and carried on
in North America, and particularly of the violent and out-
rageous proceedings at the town of Boston, in the Province
of Mussachusctis Bay, with a view of obstructing the com-
merce of this Kingdom, and upon grounds and jiretences
immediately subversive of the constitution thereof, have
thought fit to lay the whole matter before his two Houses
of Parliament, fullv confiding as well in their zeal for the
maintenance of his Majesty's authority, as in their attach-
ment to the common interest and welfare of all his Domin-
ions, that they will not only enable his Majesty effectually
to take such measures as may be most likely to put an
immediate stop to the present disorders, but will also take
into their most serious consideration what further regulations
and permanent provisions may be necessary to be esta-
blished, for better securing the execution of the laws, and
the just dependence of the Colonies upon tlie Crown and
Parliament of Great Britain. G. R.
The Lord North presented (o the House, by his Majes-
ty's command, copies of the same Papers that were this day
communicated to the House of Lords. [See folio 5-10.)
Mr. Rice then rose, and after remarking on the very-
critical situation of the whole Continent of North America,
and enlarging on the imminent necessity there was for vin-
dicating the controlling right of the British Legislature
over the Colonies,* moved, " Tliat an humble Address be
" presented to his Majesty, to return his Majesty the thanks
" of this House, for his Majesty's most gracious Message,
" and for the communication his Majesty hath been gra-
" ciously pleased to make to this House, of the several
" Papers relative to the present state of some of his Ma-
" jesty's Colonies in North America.
"To assure his Majesty, that this House will, without
" delay, proceed to take into their most serious considera-
" tion his Majesty's most gracious Message, together with
" the Papers accompanyiug the same ; and will not fail to
" exert every means in their power, in effectually providing
" for objects so important to the general welfare, as main-
" taining the due execution of the laws, and securing the
"just dependence of his Majesty's Colonies upon the
'' Crown ;ind Parliament of Great Britain."
* Tlie presentment of tlie Papers was accompanied with a comment
upon them, and ])articularly tlioso that related to the transactions al
Boston, in wliich the conduct of the Governor was described and ap.
plauiled ; and that of the prevailing faction represented in the most
atrocious lifrht. It was said that he had taken every measure which
prudence could suggest, or good policy justify, for the security of the
East India Company's projierty, the safety of the consignees, and the
|)resinving of order and quiet in the town. Evi-ry civil precaution to
prevent the mischief that followed had been usid in vain. His Ma-
jesty's Council, the Militia, and the corps of Cadets, had been all
separately applied to, for their assistance in the preservation of the
public peace, and the support of the laws, but all without eff.'ct: they
refused or declined doing their duty. The Shfiriff read a Proclama-
tion to the faction, at their town meeting, by which they were com.
inanded to break up their Assembly ; but tile Proclamation was treated
with the greatest contempt, and the Sheriff insulted in the grossest
manner.
That he hail it undouhtedlj' in his power, by calling in the assis-
tance of tlie naval force which was in the harbor, to have prevented
the destruction of the Tea; but that as the leading men in Boston had
always made great compl tints of the interposition of the army and
navy, and charged all disturbances of everj' sort to their account, he
witli great prudence and temperance, determined from the beginning
to decline a measure which would have been so irrit iting to the minds
of the People ; and might well have hoped, that by this confidence in
their conduct, and trust reposed in the civil power, he should have
calmed their turbulence, and preserved the public tranquillity.
Thus, said the Ministers, the People of Boston were fairly tried. —
They were left to their own conduct, and to the exercise of their ^^
judgments, and the result has given the lie to all their former profes. ^B
sions. Tliey are now without an excuse, and all the powers of Go. '^m
vemnicnt in that Province, are found insufficient to prevent the most
violent outrages. The loyal and peaceable People of a mercantile
town, (as th y aff'ctto bo peculiarly considered,) have given a notable
proof to the world of llieir justice, moderation, loyalty, and affection,
for the Mother Country, by wantonly committing to the waves a valu.
able commoility, the propurty of another loyal mercantile body of sub-
jects, without the pretence of necessity, even supposing that their
opposition to the payment of the duties could justify such a plea; as
KING'S MESSAGE, MARCH 7, 1774.
84
Lord Clare said, he agreed with the honorable gentle-
man, and hoped he should find this measure carried through
with unanimity ; he should therefore second the motion.
Mr. DowdeswclL 1 would be very far from offering
any thing on the present occasion, which might wear the
most distant appearance of opposition, or a desire to im-
pede measures of such high consideration. Nevertheless,
I cannot consent to give my voice, by any means, lor what
I am convinced in my soul is wrong ; and though 1 do not
mean to divide the House on any particular opinion I may
entertain on the subject, 1 wish lo have it understood, that
I do not approve of the present hasty, ill-digested mode of
proceeding.
Governor Pownall. I think the motion for an Address
extremely proper, as it can mean no mere than to return
thanks to his Majesty for the present communication.
Mr. Edmund Burke then n)oved, that the entries in the
Journal of the House, of the 8th day of iSovcmLcr, 17G8,
of so much of his Majesty's most gracious Speech to both
Houses of Parliament, and tiie Address of this House
thereupon, as relates to the state of his Majesty's Govern-
ment in North America, might be read :
And the same was read accordingly.
Mr. Burke also moved, that the entry in the Journal of
the House, of the 9th day of May, 1769, of so nmch of
his Majesty's most gracious Speech to both Houses of Par-
liament, as relates to the state of his Majesty's Colonies
in North America, might be read :
And the same was read accordingly.
Mr. Burke also moved, that the entries in the Journal
of the House, of the 9th day of January, 1770, of so
much of his Majesty's most gracious Speech to both Houses
of Parliament, and the Address of this House thereupon,
as relates to the state of his Majesty's Government in
North America, might be read :
And the same was read accordingly.
Mr. Burke also moved, that the entries in the Journals
of the House, of the 13th day of November, 1770, of so
much of his Majesty's most gracious Speech to both Houses
of Parliament, and the Address of this House thereupon,
as relates to the stale of his Majesty's Colonies in Ameri-
ca, might be read :
And the same was read accordingly.
He next desired the Clerk to search for the supposed
Resolutions that were entered into by the House, in obe-
dience and conformity to tliis communication from the
Throne ; and none being to be found, he resumed his
speech : Sir, (addressing himself to the Clerk,) 1 am tho-
roughly satisfied of your integrity and assiduity in the dis-
charge of the station you now fill ; but however high you
they had nothing to do but to adhero to their own Resolutions, of non-
consumption, effjctually to evade the revenue liiws.
It was concluded upon tlie whob, that by an impartial review of
the Papers now before them, it would manifestly appear, that nothing
could be done, by eithi^r civil, military, or naval offic -rs, to effjctuate
the re. -establishment of tranquillity and order in that Province, with,
out additional Parliamentary powers to give efficacy to th:;ir proceed,
ings. That no parson employxl by Government, could in any act,
however common or ligal, fulfil the duti?8 of his office or station,
without its b;ing immediately exclaimed against by the licentious, as
ein infringsmont of their liberties. That it was the settled opinion of
some of tile wisjst men, both in England and America, and the best
acquainted with the aifiirs of the Colonies, that in their present state
of Gov .rnment, no measures whitso:!ver could be pursued that would,
in any degree, remedy those glaring evils, which were every day
growing to a more enormous and dangerous height. That Parli u
ment, and Parli imont only, were cap.bb of reestablishing tranquil,
lity among thos;; turbulent Puople, and of bringing order out of con.
fusion. And that it was therefore incumbent on every member to
weigh and consider with an intention suitable to the great importanca
of the subject, the purport of the Pipers before them, and totally lay.
ing all prejudices aside, to form his opinion upon the measures most
eligible to be pursued, for supporting the supreme legislative aulhori.
ty, tlie dignity of Parliament, and the great interesUi of the British
Empire.
This if* the substinco of what was urged by the Ministry upon the
subject whi-n th:y presented the Papers; but, as things were to bo
brought to a crisis with the Colonis, and very strong moa*ures were
resolved upon, it was apprehended th it the merchants would be af.
fected, and make some opposition. To prevent this, all the public
papers were systematically fdlad with writings on this subject, piint-
ing the misconduct of the Colonies in the strongest colours, and in
particular, urging the impossibility of tiie future existence of any
trade to America, if this fl igrant outrage on commerce should go un-
punished.
These, with many other endeavours to the same end, were not with,
out an eifect. Thj spirit raised ag ;inst the Americans became as
high and as strong as could be desired, both within and without the
House. In this temper a motion wai made for an Address to the
Throne. — Ann. Regia.
Second Series. 3
may stand in my estimation, 1 would much sooner suppose
you guilty of some fatal negligence, which now leaves us
at a loss lor those proceedings, than presume the House to
have so far forgot its duty to its Sovereign, its country, and
its constituents, as to omit what was so strongly recommend-
ed to its consideration from the Throne, as well as what
was in its nature so essential to our most important inter-
ests. And even you. Sir, (to the Speaker,) 1 should not
hesitate to charge as guilty of some improper conduct on
this occasion, sooner than the House.
Mr. Solicitor General. Tlie honorable gentleman over
the way has endeavored to entertain us with an epigram,
but it wants one of its most essential requisites, it seems
rather too long. Foregoing therefore the wit, which here
comes in somewhat unseasonably, 1 should imagine that
the grand object we ought to labor to accomplish, on the
present occasion, would be unanimity. The voice of this
House should be that of one man. It is not what this
Administration has done, what that has omitted, or the
mixed errors of a third, that we are now to consider. It is
not this man's private opinion, or that man's ; the particu-
lar sentiments of this side of the House, or the other. We
are arrived at a certain point, and the question now is, in
what manner we shall think proper to act. The proposed
Address by no means precludes us from giving our opinions
freely, when the matter comes properly before us, accom-
panied by the necessary information. When this informa-
tion is properly digested, let us proceed coolly and with
deliberatif.n. We cannot yet determine, whether the de-
pendence insisted on in the Message, may be proper to be
vindicated or asserted. We cannot even say but it may be
entirely relinquished. We do not pretend to judge what
sort or degree of connection may be necessary to be kept
up for our mutual benefit. It perhaps may be prudent to
grant them other charters, to enlarge those they already
have, or to enter into commercial regulations different from
those which at present bind them.
Mr. Edmund Burke. The learned gentleman, who has
now held forth with so much ingenuity, and so great an
appearance of candor, has left his epigram liable to the
same objection which he made to mine ; it is not short
enough. Besides, he forgets to enumerate one of the
qualities which distinguish an epigram, and which mine had:
it, I think, carried a sting with it. The learned gentleman
suggests (and I presume he speaks from authority) that
the several Governments in America may be new-modell-
ed ; that connections different from those already existing
may be formed, and commercial regulations, planned on
another scale, take place. But I will venture to inform
him, that an English Government must be administered in
the spirit of one, or it will that moment cease to exist. As
soon, I say, as the civil Government of those Colonies shall
depend for support on a military power, the former will
that moment be at an end. The spirit of English legisla-
tion is uniform, permanent, and universal ; it must execute
itself, or no power under heaven will be able to effect it. —
[Here Mr. Burke entered into an historical detail of the
weakness and violence, the ill-timed severity and lenity,
the irresolution at one time, and the invincible obstinacy
at another, the arrogance and meanness of the several Ad-
ministrations, relative to their conduct towards the Ameri-
cans for the last seven years. He observed, with some
degree of severity, on the act of political indemnity, pro-
posed by the learned gentleman, and his endeavors to con-
found all parties, as equally involved in the cause of the
present confusions now prevailing in that country, contend-
ing that all dissentions, occasioned by the attempt to levy
a tax there, gave way to perfect tranquillity on the repeal
of the Stamp Act.]
Lord George Germain. The honorable gentleman who
spoke last has taken great pains to expose the conduct of
different Administrations, and to extol those who advised
the repeal of the Stamp Act. For my part, however great
the abilities and good intention of those gentlemen might
have been, I was of opinion, tiiat it should not be repealed,
and voted accordingly. It is now contended, that that
measure produced tlie desired effect, and that on its passing
every thing was peace and tranquillity. I know the con-
trary was the case, and we had evidence at your bar which
proved, that the Americans were totally displeased, because
in the preamble to the repeal, we asserted our right to enact
35
BOSTON PORT BILL.
36
laws of sufficient force and authority to bind tliem. I am, on
the whole, fully convinced, that the prej^ent situation of affairs
in that country, would have never been, and that the People
there must and would have returned to their obedience, if
the Stamp Act had not been unfortunately repealed.
General Conway. 1 by no means agree with the noble
Lord in any one argument lie has made, or conclusion he
has drawn from tiieni. 1 attribute the very disagreeable
situation we are now in to the weakness of our counsels,
and to a series of misconduct. The noble FiOrd attributes
the present distracted state of that country to the repeal.
1 believe he has neither fully attended to the immediate
effects of that measure, nor to those which have followed
fixjni a contrary conduct, or he could never have given such
a judgment. The operation of both are known, and 1 leave
the House to judge, which was the healing and wliicii the
distracting measure.
Colonel Barre. 1 shall agree with the motion for an
Address as a mere matter of course, not holding myself
engaf^ed to a syllable of its contents. A right honorable
gentleman near me, (Mr. DoivdesweU,) has very fully
proved on a former occasion, tl)at our present peace estab-
lishment is a ruinous one : and that it eats up that fund
which should be appropriated towards relieving our burdens
or preparing for a war. I have the most authentic infor-
mation, however improbable it may appear, that the ex-
pense of our military at this moment, exceeds that of
France. These may be matters well worthy of our con-
sideration in the course of our proceedings. It may induce
us to make a very considerable saving in that service.
The motion for the Address was then agreed to.
Ordered, That the Address be ])resented to his Majesty
by such members of this House as are of his Majesty's
most honorable Privy Council.
II. THE BOSTON PORT BILL
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
Monday, March 7, 1774.
Ordered, That his Majesty's most gracious Message
[folio 32,] together with the Papers this day presented to
the House, [folio 5 — 10] by the Lord North, be taken
into consideration on Friday morning next.
Friday, March 11, 1774.
The Lord North presented to the House, by his Ma-
jesty's command :
No. 1. Extract of a Letter from Governor HutchiTison
to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 28th January,
1774; received 8th March, inclosing,
No. 2. Extract from tlie Boston Gazette, of the 27th
January, 1774.
Together with a list of said Papers.
And the said list was read.
Ordered, That the said Papers be taken into considera-
tion at the same time that the Papere presented to the
House by the Lord North, upon Monday last, are ordered
to be taken into consideration.
The order of the day being read, for taking into conside-
ration his Majesty's most gracious Message of Monday last,
together with the Papers which were presented to the
House by the Lord North, upon Monday last, and this day,
by his Majesty's command.
The House proceeded to take the same into considera-
tion. And his Majesty's most gracious Message was again
read by Mr. Speaker, all tiie members of the House being
uncovered. And the said Papers were also read.
Ordered, That his Majesty's said most gracious Mes-
sage, together with the said Papers, be taken into further
consideration upon Monday morning next.
Monday, March 14, 1774.
A Petition of William Bollan, Esq., Agent for the Council
of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in New England, was
presented to the House, and read, setting forth, that the
English America)i Colonies were deduced and planted by
the adventurers and settlers, at their expense, in foreign in-
hospitable lanils, acquired by their vigorous efforts, made
under the authority of their princes, granted with the en-
couragement proper for this spirited and noble enterprise ;
and that the several princes, by whose authority the Colo-
nies were established, and the numerous nobles and other
worthy persons, of whom several were men of tlie greatest
accomplishments, endued with the wisdom proper for ob-
taining and preserving Empire, by whose advice, aid, and
concun-cnce, they were undertaken and advanced, were so
tar from understanding that these adventurers and settlers,
who by their travail, expenses, labors, and dangers, should
enlarge the public dominion, should thereby, contrary to
natural justice, lessen their public liberties ; that, from the
many letters patent Royal, made and passed for obtaining
and regulating new dominion, and the whole history of their
settlement, it manifestly appears, it was the intent of all
parties, that tlie settlers, and their posterity, should enjoy
the same ; whereupon, they became adventurers ; and, in-
spirited by their confidence therein, with their long and
quiet enjoyment of tiieir public rights, overcoming difficul-
ties, perils, and liardsbips, inexpressible and innumerable,
they raised the King's American Empire out of a dreary
and dangerous wilderness, with so great and continual in-
crease of commerce, that of late years it hath given em-
ployment unto two-thirds of the British shipping, with a
comfortable support to no small part of the inhabitants of
Great Britain, and great addition to the dignity and
strength of its Naval Empire ; and that, by the statute law
of this Kingdom, it is clearlj supposed, and in effect fully
declared, that the Colonists were well entitled to the En-
glish right, and the lands they inhabit free ; and that the
Acta Regia of Queen Elizabeth and her successors, where-
by the acquests of new dominion were made and establish-
ed, and security given to the adventurers, planters, and their
descendants, of the ]5erpetual enjoyment of tlieir public
liberties, having, as tiie Petitioner presumes, never been
laid before the House, nor tiie Colonies ever yet had any
opportunity to ascertain and defend their invaluable rights,
and the House, as the Petitioner is advised, now having
under their consideration the state of the Northern Colonies,
the Petitioner therefore prays, that he may be permitted to
appear, and lay before the House, authentic copies of the
proper Acta Regia, and to support the matters herein con-
tained, in a manner suitable to their nature, and to the in-
clinations of the House.
Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the table.
The order of the day then being called for, the House
was silent for a few minutes, when Mr. Cornwall rose, and
moved that the gallery be cleared. This occasioned a
vehement debate. Colonel Barre said, that if the motion
was insisted on, the ladies would be oliliged to withdraw.
Mr. C. Fox ^vas of the same opinion. Mr. Jtiikinson con-
tended, if it was proper to shut the gallery on Friday,
against strangers, it was much more so then. Mr. T.
Townshcnd desired that the standing order might be read,
which being complied with, he observed, that it contained
no exceptions, for the order recited that all strangers should
be taken into custody. Mr. Grtnville remarked, that it
was easily seen from what quarter the present motion origi-
nated, as he could perceive that applications had been ma-
king ever since the House met, for the purpose now intend-
ed to be carried into execution, though the authors did
not choose to appear publicly in it themselves.
The majority of the House did not seem to approve of
the motion, when it was first made ; but the interference of
the Speaker at length turned the scale, and not only the
BOSTON PORT BILL.
38
gallery but all the rooms and avenues leading to it, were
cleared about four o'clock.
As soon a.s the House had resumed its former tranquiU
lity, it was
Ordered, That the order of the day, for taking into
consideration his Majesty's most gracious Message of
Monday last, together with tlie Papers which were pre-
sented to the House by the Lord North, upon tlie 7th and
11th days of this instant, March, (by his Majesty's com-
mand,) be now read :
And the said order being read accordingly,
The House proceeded to take the same into further con-
sideration.
And his Majesty's said most gracious Message was again
read by Mr. Speaker, (all tiie members of the House beuig
uncovered.) Upon which.
Lord North rose. He said it contained two proposi-
tions : the one to enable his Majesty to put an end to the
present disturbances in America, the other to secure the
just dependence of the Colonies on the Crown of Great
Britain. His Lordship observed, that the present disor-
ders originated in Boston, in the Province o( Massachusetts
Bay; and hoped that the method he should propose to the
House would be adopted. He should confine himself par-
licularlv to those disturbances which had been created since
the 1st of December. He said, that it was impossible for
our commerce to be safe, whilst it continued in the harbour
of Boston, and it was highly necessary that some port or
other should be found for the landing of our merchandise
where our laws would give full protection ; he therefore
hoped that the removal of the custom-house officers from
the town of Boston, would be thought a necessary step ;
and that the consequence of that would produce one other
proposition, which would be, the preventmg any shipping
from endeavouring to land their wares and merchandise
there, by blocking up the use of that harbour; he said he
should move for leave to bring in a Bill for those two pur-
poses. He observed, that this was the third time the offi-
cers of the customs had been prevented from doing their
duty in the harbour of Boston ; he thought the inhabitants
of the town of Boston deserved punishment ; he said, per-
haps it may be objected, that some few individuals may
suffer on this account who ought not ; but where the au-
thority of a town had been, as it were, asleep and inactive,
it was no new thing for the whole town to be fined for such
neglect ; he instanced the city of London, in King Charles
the Second's time, when Dr. Lamb was killed by unknown
persons, the city was fined for such ; and the case oi Edin-
burgh, in Captain Forteovss affair, when a fine was set
upon the whole ; and also at Glasgoiv, when the house of
Mr. Camj)bell Avas pulled down, part of the revenue of that
town was sequestered to make good the damage. He ob-
served, that Boston did not stand in so fair a light as either of
the three before mentioned places, lor that Boston had been
upwards of seven years in riot and confusion, and associa-
tions had been held against receiving British merchandise
so long ago. He observed that proceedings were openly
carried on in the beginning of last November, to the 17th
of December, denying the force or efficacy of the laws of
this country, to be exerted in the harbour of Boston; that
during the above time, there was not the least interposition
offered by the inhabitants of the town ; that at their public
meetings, they had regularly given orders for nightly
watches to be appointed, consisting of a large body of
persons, which were to prevent the landing of the tea. As
the merchandise of Great Britain, this surely was highly
criminal, and a direct opposition to the execution of an Act
of Parliament ; and as the tea belonging to the India Com-
pany had remained twenty days in the harbour, without a
clearance, they were afraid lest it should be seized by the
custom-house officers, and by that means landed ; they
therefore fiestroyed it on tlie 20th day. That this appeared
to be a violent and outrageous proceeding done to our fel-
low subjects, by a set of People, who could not, in any
shape, claim more than the natural privilege of trading with
their fellow subjects. Tliat Boston had been the ringlea-
der in all riots, and had at all times shown a desire of
seeing the laws of Great Britain attempted in vain, in the
Colony of Massachusetts Bay. That the act of the mob
in destroying the tea, and other proceedings, belonged to
the act of the public meeting ; and that though other
Colonies were peaceable and well inclined towards the
trade of this country, and the tea would have been landed
at New York without any opposition ; yet, when the news
came from Boston, that the tea was destroyed. Governor
Tryon, from the advice of the People, thought that the face
of things being changed since that account was sent, it
would be more prudent to send the tea back to England,
than to risk the landing of it. His Lordship observed that
Boston alone was to blame for having set this example,
therefore Boston ought to be the principal object of our
attention for punishment. He proposed one clause to the
Bill, which, he said, would prevent the Crown from re-
storing the re-establishment, till full satisfaction was made
to the East India Company for the loss of their tea. He
said, he did not propose it by way of tax, but by way of
restitution to the injured, who were our own subjects ; and
to let it go forth to the world, that the Parliament of Great
Britain will protect their subjects and their property ; that
the Crown, by that clause, will not even then be obliged to
restore the custom-house, unless his Majesty is thoroughly
convinced that the laws of this country will be better ob-
served in the harbour of Boston for the future ; this resti-
tution entirely depended upon Boston alone. He should
be happy to have those, who had been the promotei-s of
these disturbances in Boston found out, and that they might
be obliged to make good the damage to the East India
Company ; but as those persons are unknown to us, Boston
will, no doubt, endeavour to find out such persons, or pass
acts of their own Assembly, to levy such money in the most
equitable and just manner. We have only to request it for
the East India Company. He said that this Bill was not
all he meant to propose ; that other parts, of more nice
disquisition, will remain for the future consideration of Par-
liament. There, perhaps, might be other methods propo-
sed that were better than this ; but he had as yet found out
none that deserved a preference. Some persons had pro-
posed that the fishery might be taken away ; but this, he
observed, would affect the Colony at large. Others pro-
posed tiie Straits trade ; and this would be liable to the
same objection. No method of punishment ever came
from him, but with great regret : he therefore hoped for
that unanimity in a vote of this sort, which would give
strength to the measure. It had been said, that we owed
this proceeding of the Americans to our own ill conduct in
taxing and repealing ; but if gentlemen would recollect,
when the Stamp Act passed, there was hardly a dissenting
voice ; and when it was repealed, it had the consent of a
great majority of that House; that the doctrine then laid
down was, that external duties were our right, internal
taxes theu's; that when the repeal of the Stamp Act took
place here, the clamour raised against that Act in America
had subsided ; that the non-importation agreements, it was
true, were not remedied, because they ceased of themselves.
It was my fate, he said, to propose the repeal of the duties
laid on in 1767, and to continue the Tea Duty only. The
reason was, I thought, the non-importation agreements
would break up of themselves ; which was afterwards the
case. It was proposed by some, that the Tea Duty should
be taken off; it was urged by others, that it would then
become a monopoly of the Ea^t India Company ; nor did
I think the giving up the duty to the East India Company
of consequence enough to venture the struggle of the Le-
gislative authority of this country. If they could sell tea
cheaper than any other People, they would certainly have
the market to tiiemselves. His Lordship observed, that at
Boston we were considered as two independent States ; but
we were no longer to dispute between legislation and taxa-
tion, we were now to consider only whether or not we
have any authority there ; that it is very clear we have
none, if we suffer the property of our subjects to be de-
stroyed. He hoped that all would agree with him, both
peers, members, and merchants, to jiroceed unanimously to
punisli such parts of America as denied the authority of
this country. We must, he said, punish, control, or yield
to them. He did not wish to molest without an offence
given ; he therefore proposed this measure to day ; and
observed, if such conduct was followed, it would tend to
cement two countries, as important to the one as the other ;
he therefore moved, "That leave be given to bring in a
" Bill for the immediate removal of the officers concerned
" in the collection and management of his Majesty's duties
39
BOSTON PORT BILL.
40
" and customs from the town of Boston, in tlio Province of
" Massachusetts Bay, in North Amtrica ; and to discon-
•' tinue the landing and discharging, lading and shipping, of
'' goods, wares, and merchandise, at the said town of Bos-
" ton, or within the liarbour thereof."
When Lord North sat down, there was a perfect silence
for some minutes.
Mr. Grosvenor got up to second the motion, and con-
demned very much the proceedings of Boston ; he said,
they were all entirely owing to the repeal of the Stamp
Act.
Governor Johnstone desired to know, if it was to be left
to the Crown, to what part of America the custom-house
should be removed ?
Lord North said, a clause was intended to be inserted in
the Bill to leave that matter to the Crown.
Mr. Dempster observed, that should this indemnification
to the East India Company take place by way of tax, it
would be collected over America, and thereby injure tlie
property of People who had been entirely innocent of this
afiair ; that when he spoke formerly so much about taxa-
tion in general, he meant not as to the right which we had,
but only as to the prudence and policy of the measure.
Mr. Sawbrid^e got up to speak, but the noise of the
Flouse being great for the question, he sat down, he said,
till gentlemen had done coughing, and the House had done
calling for the question ; that though he could not be heard
now, he should sit cooly till he could. The House being
little silent, he said, he always gai-e his genuine opinion,
and he was now, and always had been, of such opinion,
that this country had no right to tax America; that it
might be said by some People here, that America Is not
represented ; that if this country had a right to take a sin-
gle shilling out of an American's pocket, they have a right
to take the whole. He then sat down a second time, the
House being noisy, and said though he could not be allowed
to speak long, he could sit long ; and observed, that this
destruction of the tea was entirely done by a mob unarmed ;
and Uiat if a requisition was to be sent to Boston to make
satisfaction to the India Company he made no doubt but
what it would be complied with. He said, he was against
the motion.
Mr. Byng sa\d, he only meant to ask the noble Lord one
question, whether this measure was not preventing the
English ships from trading there, and a punishment on
ourselves ?
Mr. B. Fuller said, the Bill brought in would shew
whether it was a punishment upon A or B ; that he should
therefore reserve his opinion until he saw the Bill,
Mr. Dowdesioell rose, upon which the House thought
the debate would continue ; he said, he was of opinion
they were going to do very great mischief, and should
think it his duty to give that opinion in tliis early stage of
the Bill: he said, this Bill was to punish the town of
Boston: why will you punish Boston alone? Did not
other towns send your tea back to England, and refuse
the landing? Have they committed no offence? He asked,
if there was any evidence of a general concurrence of the
inhabitants of Boston ; he said, the examples of punishment
the noble Lord had mentioned, were not similar to the pre-
sent case ; that the counties being obliged by law to make
good the loss between sun and sun, wal; an old established
law, not made for a particular purpose ; that this Bill
would be an ex-post-facto law ; that the case of a corpora-
tion was different from the present ; the corporation chose
their own officers, the magistrates of the town of Boston
were chosen by the Province at large. Would the House
nor hear what Boston had to say in its defence ? Would
the House condemn without evidence, in the absence of
the parties? He should trouble the House no more at
present ; he thought they were going to do a wrong act,
nor could he think, that the cases of London, KHnlwgh,
or Glasgow, could at all be brought as examples of pun-
ishment in this case. He disapproved much of the Bill,
and said, he should give a negative to it.
Mr. Cavendish approved of the proposition ; but hoped,
il the merchants of this country could any way be injured
by it, that time would be given tlioin to come and petition.
Captain Phipps said, he felt no reason to imagine that
any opposition to the Bill at Boston could be effectual :
That It was no new thing to direct and order a port for the
reception of the trade of America; that harbours were in
great plenty there ; that all authority had been trampled
upon in that country for many years; that if our subjects
could not trade to Boston, they must go where thev could
trade with safety ; that he did not attribute the disturbances
to the Stamp Act, or the repeal of it. When he was in that
country, he thought that that Act might have been put in
execution ; that the repeal might be proper. He imagined,
one of the provisions that would be adopted by the House,
would be to repeal the Declaratory Act, which, he said, was
tlie most absurd and unconstitutional Act ever passed. Let
America alone, and it would return of itself to obedience,
and do not let us scare!) for trifling taxes, by way of expe-
riment, to try our power ; the moment they see that taxa-
tion is not for effectually collecting of money, but for
experiment only, they will always oppose you.
Lord G. Cavendish said, lie was not sure but the object
before the House would be prejudicial to our trade ; that
he looked lo the mutual interest of the two countries ; that
they were united by proper measures, and, he hoped, they
would be kept so ; he wished tiiat no idle ideas of superio-
rity might prevail, for that country which is kept by power,
is in danger of being lost every day.
Colonel Brrre said, he was urged to rise to discharge
his duty in not giving a silent vote upon the occasion. The
proposition before tlie House, he could not help giving his
hearty affirmative to ; that he liked it, harsii as it was ; he
liked it for its moderation ; and arirued, that the noble Lord's
{Nortfi) conduct would be of the same stamp throughout.
He said, I think BoUon ought to be punished, she is your
eldest son. |Here the House laughed, and some members
observed by him, that he would be a proper person to
direct the admission of Irish members into the House, as
he had hinted a day before that office for Mr. Bigby.]
After the House had laughed heartily, he said, I mean ycur
daughter, she is a noble prop ; she gave herself that form
of constitution she now has ; cherish and support her. He
wished to see an unanimous vote in the onset of this busi-
ness ; that when Boston saw this measure was carried by
such a consent, they would the more readily pay the sum
of money to the East India Company ; that he hoped,
if they did, that the Crown would mitigate the rest of
their punishment ; if the Crown went further, perhaps
they could not do it witliout, as Governor Tryon ob-
served, at the muzzle of your guns ; that we had given
America limited and prescribed means to acquire wealth ;
that he hoped they would leave the rest of the matter to
themselves ; that he had often thought, in the coolest hours,
that America ought not to be taxed by this country.
Endeavour, says he, to take the power of taxing out of
their Assemblies, and it will be strongly opposed ; he
meant not to stick to experimental taxes ; the tax of the
Stamp Act was made to please this side [meaning Mr.
Grcnville's friends] of the House. Go, says he, to some
great request at once, and if they wont comply with it, try
then your power. You have been paying £4,000,000,
for doing of nothing, only for teasing and scratching ; I wish
to see a fair decided line at once ; I dent, says he, see any
appearance of war at present ; now is your time to try, in
a civilized manner, your power over the Americans ; other
of your enemies are not in a condition to take part with
them. I am not in office, that my advice can be taken ; if
I was, I should give it freely. If office comes to me, it
comes as an atonement for repeated and unmerited affronts.
I shall at all times speak the language of a free and disin-
terested member.
The motion of Ixird North, for leave to bring in the Bill
was then agreed to; and I^ord North, Mr. Onslow, Mr.
Charles Townshcnd, Mr. Attorney General, Mr. Solicitor
General, Mr. Bice, Mr. Cooper, and Mr. Robinson, were
ordered to prepare and bring in the same.
Ordered, That the further consideration of the Message
and Papers be referred toaCoinmittie of the whole House.
Resolved, That this House will, on Friday morning
next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to
consider of the said Message and Papers.
Friday, March 18, 1774.
The Lord North presented to the House, according to
order, a Bill for the immediate removal of the Officers con-
cerned in the collection and management of his Majesty's
I
41
BOSTON PORT BILL.
42
duties of Customs, from the town of Boston, in the Province
of Massachusetts Bay, in North America; and to discon-
tinue the landing and discharging, lading and shipping, of
goods, wares, and merchandise, at the said town o{ Boston,
or within the harbour tliereof: and the same was received ;
and read the first time.
Resolved, That the Bill be read a second time.
Ordered, Tiiat die said Bill be read a second time upon
Monday next.
A motion was made, and the question being put, that
the said Bill be printed ?
It passed in the Negative.
The order of the day being read, for the House to re-
solve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to take
into further consideration his Majesty's most gracious
Message of Monday, the 7th day of this instant, March,
together with the Papers which were presented to the
House, by the Lord North, upon the 7lh and 11th days of
this instant, March, by his Majesty's conmiand ;
Resolved, That this House will, upon Wednesday morn-
ing next, resolve itself into the said Committee.
Monday, March 21 , 1774.
The Bill was read a second time, and committed to a
Committee of the whole House.
Resolved, That this House will, upon Wednesday movn-
ing next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole
House, upon the said Bill.
Wednesday, March 23, 1774.
The order of the day, for the House to resolve itself into
a Committee of the whole, on the Message and Papers, was
discharged, and the Message together with the Papers, was
referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the
Bill for the immediate removal of the officers concerned in
the collection and management of his Majesty's duties of
Customs, from the town of Boston, in the Province of Mas-
sachusetts Bay, in North America ; and to discontinue the
landing and discharging, lading and shipping, of goods,
wares, and merchandise, at the said town of Boston, or
within the harbour thereof, is committed.
The House then resolved itself into a Committee -of the
whole, on the said Bill.
Sir Charles Whitworth took the Chair of the Com-
mittee.
Mr. Fuller said, he intended to make an alteration in the
Bill, by first substituting a fine before the blocking up the
port ; lie should tlierefore propose, that the words " from
and after," be left out, in order to insert one of his own.
He said, that Boston was a port of the gi-eatest consequence
to this country of any existing ; that the Bill before them
was totally unprecedented ; for that the case of Edinburgh,
Glasgow, and others, that had been mentioned, was not in
the least similar; that the penalty of blocking up their
ports was too severe for the first offence ; that when the
nation came to know the contents of this Bill, he was sure
they would be dissatisfied with it ; that the Bostonians,
upon the first rcsistence, will tell you they will not remit
the money which they owe you ; that nothing but confed-
eracies would spring up among tliem ; that he was strongly
of opinion, that this Bill could not be carried into execution
without a military force; that if we sent over a small
number of men, the Boston militia would immediately cut
them to pieces ; that if we sent over a larger number, six or
7,000, the Americans would debauch them ; and that by
these means we should only hurt ourselves. I would
begin, said he by an amercement; nor would I wish this
Bill to take place, until they had refused the payment of
it. He should apprehend, that about £15,000 would
make amends to the East India Company, and would in
some measure be a relief to poor Malcolm (the custom-
house officer, who had been tarred and feathered.) It was
always a rule in law, he said, where damages are done by
unknown persons, that the community should be made to
pay ; he therefore wished that the House would adopt the
proposition he had made.
Mr. Herbert opposed the measure which Mr. Fuller
proposed. He said, the proposition would by no means
relieve us, but throw us into greater difficulties ; the Bos-
tonians would certainly resist the payment of the fine ;
that we must then have recourse to this method. The
measure proposed was still more likely to be resisted than
the Bill, because the fine would be laid on all America,
which would induce others to join in the opposition, who
before were not concerned in it. He said, the Americans
were a strange set of People, and that it was in vain to
expect any degree of reasoning from them ; that instead
of making their claim by argument, they always chose to
decide the matter by tarring and feathering ; that the
method now proposed in tlie Bill would become more a
punishment by their refusal than by their compliance ; that
the Americans alone were the persons by whose behaviour
the lenity or severity of the measure was to be proved : he
therefore should agree to the Bill, in preference to the
amendment proposed.
Lord North opposed the amendment. He said, howe-
ver great his obligations were to the candour and public
spirit of the honorable gentleman who made the motion, yet
he differed much from him in the amendment proposed.
His lordship observed, that tliough the honorable gentleman
had said it was the first offence, yet upon recollection he was
very sure he would not be of that opinion, as the People at
Boston had begun many years ago to endeavour to throw
of all obedience to this country ; that, indeed, this was the
first time that Parliament had proceeded to punish them.
He said, I am by no means an enemy to lenient measures,
but I find that resolutions of censure and warning will avail
nothing ; we must therefore proceed to some immediate
remedy ; now is our time to stand out, to defy them — to
proceed with firmness, and without fear ; they will never
reform until we take a measure of this kind. Let this Bill
produce a conviction to all America, that we are in earnest,
and that we will proceed with firmness and vigour ; that
conviction, will be lost, if they see us hesitating and doubt-
ing. It will be enough to shew that Great Britain is in
earnest. The merchandise now will be landed at Marble-
head, in the port of Salein, which is putting Boston about
seventeen miles from the sea with respect to foreign trade.
This restriction will be continued as long as they persist in
their proceedings ; it will operate severely or mildly against
them, according to their behaviour; if they are obstinate,
the measure will be severe ; if not, mild. I believe that
Boston will not immediately submit to a fine, nor to the
intention of the present Bill, unless it comes attended with
a mark of resolution and firmness that we mean to punish
them, and assert our right ; it is impossible to suppose but
some of our own People may in some degree suffer a little,
but we must compare those temporary inconveniences
with the loss of that country, and its due obedience to us ;
they bear no comparison ; and the preference must certain-
ly be given to the latter. The honorable gentleman tells us,
that the Americans will not pay their debts due to this
country, unless we comply with their disposition. I believe
things will remain much in the same state as they did upon
a like occasion ; they threatened us with the same thing if
we did not repeal the Stamp Act ; we repealed that Act,
and they did not pay their debts. If this threat is yielded
to, we may as well take no remedy at all ; their threats
will hold equally good to the fine proposed by the honorable
gentleman, as to the operation of this Bill. I hope we
every one feel, that it is the common cause of us all, and
such an unanimity will go half way to their obedience to
this Bill. The honorable gentleman tells us, that the Act
will be a waste piece of paper, and that an army will be re-
quired to put it in execution. The good of this Act is,
that four or five frigates will do the business without any
military force ; but if it is necessary, I should not hesitate
a moment to enforce a due obedience to the laws of this
country. Tlie situation of the troops in that country has
been such, that no magistrate or civil officer of the peace
has been willing to call forth their strength on proper
occasions ; it will become us to find out some method
whereby the military force may act with effect, and with-
out bloodshed, in endeavouring to support and maintain the
authority of Great Britain; but I hope that this Act will
not, in any shape, require a military force to put it in
execution : the rest of the Colonies will not take fire at the
proper punishment inflicted on those who have disobeyed
your authority ; we shall then be nearly in a situation, that
all lenient measures will be at an end if they do; but if
we exert ourselves now with firmness and intrepidity, it is
the more likely they will submit to our authority. If the
43
BOSTON PORT BILL.
44
consequences of their not obeying this Act are likely to
produce rebellion, those conse(juences belong to tliem, and
not to us : it is not what we have brought on, but what
they alone have ocrasioned ; we are only answerable that
our measures are just and equitable, l^et us continue to
proceed with firmness, justice, and resolution : which, if
pursued, will certainly produce that due obedience and
respect to the laws of this country, and the security of the
trade of its People, \vhich I so ardently wish for.
Mr. Oascoi^HC said he diiiered nuich from the proposi-
tion made by Mr. Fuller, as an amendment to the Bill.
Will gentlemen consider w]i;;t sort of Acts of Assembly tiie
Bosionians have lately passed ? They have sent over one
law, to be appro\ed of by his Majesty, for the raising and
purchasing twelve pieces of brass caimon ; these, he sasd,
were to be produced against the present proposition of
amendment. Do these proceedings look with a peaceable
eye to the proposition of his honorable friend ? It is not, says
he, the acts of tarring and feathering only that shew their
displeasure to persons who have oftended them ; tliey have
other modes of punishment, which they make use of by
way of argument and reason; the house of any pereon with
whom they are displeased, they immediately daub over with
excrement and tar, by wliich means the wjiole family is
obliged to quit it. These People, he was afraid, would
hardly ever be brought to reason ; for the moment a person
otfered to argue, the reply was, either tarring, feathering,
or daubing the house. The Bill before tiiem now, he ap-
prehended, would brinj!; these tarring and feathering casuists
to a little better reason ; nor did he imagine that a military
force would be in the least necessary : as their meetings
were chiefly made up of merchants, the prescribing limita-
tions to their trade would be the only way to bring such
merchants to their senses.
Mr. Montague (second son of Ix)rd Sandwich) rose for
the first time in the House. He said, that it was usual to
begin by making some sort of apology to the House as a
virgin orator; that he should, for tiie present, wave that
custom, but should venture what little he had to say with
as much propriety and decency as he was able. He said,
he was the youngest member in the House, and therefore,
might more properly lay his thoughts before the House, in
order that they might hereafter be corrected by men more
able, and of greater experience ; and that he miuht at last
be induced to give his vote at least rectified with some
sanction of autiiority. He expatiated much on the load of
debt which this country had incurred on obtaining America
in Germany : that we had spilt the dearest and best blood
we had in the attainment of it ; that it had been the result
and deliberation of our Councils to obtain tlie possession of
it by any means, and at any risk whatsoever ; that it had
been the darling object of this country, ever since we pos-
sessed it, to cherisli and nourish it as the main prop and
support of the constitutional body of Great Britain ; that
after all these struggles for the possession of such a jewel in
the crown of this country, it would be madness, it would
be folly indeed to the last extremity, were we not to pursue
the most determined conduct to preserve it; the giving up
that gem which we have so carefully and so diligently po-
lished, or neglecting to enforce that due obedience, and cul-
tivate the friendship, would be as it were an actual surren-
der of all our right and claim. He spoke much upon the
indulgence that had been shewn to the Colonies by the
mother country, and observed, that we had re*-,eived nothing
in return but contempt of Government. Was this filial
friendship ? Was tliis that debt of gratitude which was
owing to this country? Or was this that bond of mutual
connection which ought to have subsisted between the
mother country and its Colonies? He said, he looked
upon the unity of legislation to be as essential to the body
politic, as the Deity was to religion; that the disorders
abroad had entirely been owinij to our weak Coiuicils at
home, and condemned much the tame, unmanly proceed-
ings of Government towards the Avuricaiis. Those acta
of the Americans call now loudly for that power and diat
interposition wliich has been so long, and with so much
danirer to this country withheld. I>etus now proceed, and
consider wjiat it is most prudent to do in the present situa-
tion of things, rebus sic stantibus. Let us consider whether
the Bill before us w ill not l)c the most proper method that
nan be adopted. The Bill, he said, would ojicrate as a res-
torative and palliative; but if the amendment was adopted,
which was proposed by the honorable member, it would
indeed produce a punishment, the sting of which Great
Britain would in some n)easure feel. He expatiated also
upon gentlemen in that House, who had been clamorous
against the measures of Government, with a view to make
diemselves jKipular: he termed diem a faction, whose very
existence had arose merely as it were from the vilest ex-
crement of the eartli. He begged pardon for having de-
tained the House so long ; as they had been so kind and
indulgent to him in the attention which they shewed, he
would conclude with giving his hearty approbation to the
Bill, as it bore on its face those distinguisiiing lines which
ought to be tiie true characteristic of every British Minister,
moderation and courage.
Mr. Byng. i rise. Sir, to speak my mind upon tliis
Bill. Whatever principles I have hitherto adopted, be
tiiey right, or be tliey wrong, I have always adhered to ;
and as I live with such opinions, I hope I shall die in them.
Men's characters are known after their death, and to have
steadily adopted one uniform set of principles, from which I
have not deviated, I hope will not be deemed factious.
This Bill will prevent all importation of goods to Boston,
and thereby create that association in the Americans which
you have so much wished to annihilate. You are not
punishing tl;e Bostonians ; you are punishing the English
merchants. Tliey. Sir, would petition this House ; but
they might petition it in vain. I am against both tlie
amendment and the Bill itself; I therefore propose, that
after the words, " not to import goods," the words "except
of jBrt/ijj/i merchants," be inserted.
Mr. Stanley said, that the place where trade and mer-
chandise could not be landed in safety was not a port ; it
was therefore proper that some other port should be found
out where the subjects of this country might land their
merchandise in safety. 1 think, said he, the Bill which is
now before you, as far as it can convey punishment will be
unavoidable ; something must be done ; an immediate reme-
dy must be had, and I think, none can be adopted so free
from objection as the Bill before you.
Mr. Dempster said, that he knew of no Act to which he
gave his hearty consent in a more willing manner than to
that which was for the repeal of the Stamp Act ; he said,
our disorders had arisen from our attempts to tax the
Americans by that odious Act ; he was very sure the de-
struction o{ America uould be certain if we should ofTer to
tax it. Have we not, said he, given an extent of power to
his Majesty , to prevent the port of Boston from ever being
reinstated if tlie King should tliink proper ? What limit or
line is drawn to define when it will be proper, right, and
just, that the port of Boston should be reinstated ? He said,
the dignity of Parliament was by no means concerned in the
disputes with our Colonies ; and that we should treat them
as our children, nourish and protect them.
Lord North rose to explain. When he mentioned the
threats of Boston were not to be depended upon at the re-
peal of the Stamp Act, he said, he did not mean to rip up
wantonly the mention of the repealing the Stamp Act ;
that he begged to be understood in that light, only to siiew,
that the threats o( Boston, at that time, in not paying their
debts, unless the Stamp Act was repealed, were not always
to be depended upon.
Mr. Ward said, he was surprised to hear that we were
not now to tax America ; that he was equally surprised not
to find that unanimity which he expected upon the present
Bill ; that he himself was much against the repeal of the
Stamp Act ; that he had presented four petitions from his
Constituents in favour of the repeal, but, that he. at the
same time, told them he must be against them. He ap-
proved, he said, of this Bill, because there was no other re-
source left ; that we were drove to the wall. He disap-
proved, he said, of the amendment.
Mr. Jenldnson. I think Great Britain right ; I com-
mend much the measure of the Stamp Act, and, as the
honorable gentleman, (Mr. Grenville,) who was the au-
thor of that Act, has been much praised and commended
for another Bill, (^le Election Bill,) I beg leave to throw
in my hearty approbation of my honorable friend for the
Stamp Act. VVhat, said he, is to become of all your trade,
if the proceedings of the Bostonians are to become a prece-
dent to the rest of the Colonies ; we have gone into a very
m
BOSTON PORT BILL.
46
expensive war for tlie attainment of -4menea ; the struggle
we shall now have to keep it, will be but of little expense.
General Conway observed, that the right honorable
gentleman who spoke last, had spoken with some degree
of wannth, which the present debate, lie apprehended, did
not at all call for. 1 will just say one very short word, he
said, in favour of the Bill. I am particularly happy in the
mode of punisiimentthat is adopted in it, but I disclaim any
thing in the debate that tends to call up old sores, or create
anger. I was much for the repeal of the Stamp Act, and
am not ashamed to own it ; nor do 1 think that that measure
was the reason of these disorders.
Mr. R. Fuller said, we all agree, that the Bostonians
ought to be punished, but we difier in the mode of it. He
did not insist any farther.
The debate ended, and the blanks were filled up in the
Bill. It was then read.
On the question u]3on the clause, which vests the power
in the Crown to restore the port,
Mr. Charles Fox said, he should give it his negative, as
it was ti-usting the Crown with that power which Parlia-
ment were afraid to trust themselves with ; and if he did not
succeed in his negative to tiiis clause, he should object to
the clause following, which seemed to militate against the
measure adopted in this, as a restraint was then laid upon
the Crown until the East India Company were made satis-
faction. This Bill, he said, was calculated for three purpo-
ses ; the first for securing the trade, the second for punish-
ing the Bostonians, and the third for satisfaction to the East
India Company. He said, the first clause did not give a
true and exact distinction by what means, and at what
period, the Crown was to exercise that power vested in it ;
lie thought that application for relief should come to Par-
liament only, and that the power of such relief should not
be lodged in the Crown. The quarrel, he said, was with
Parliament, and Parliament was the proper power to end it;
not that, said he, (in a kind of sneer) there is any reason to
distrust his Majesty's Ministers, that they will not restore
the port when it shall be proper ; but I want to hear the
reason why this clause should be so left in the judgment of
the Crown, and the next clause should be so particularly
granted, with such a guard upon his Majesty, to prevent
him from restoring the port until the East India Company
shall be fully satisfied.
Captain Fhip])s said, that nothing surely was so proper
as to allow the Crown that power which always had been
attributed to it, that of mercy ; his Majesty cannot deprive
the People of a port without the leave of Parliament, but
he may certainly give one ; as to the power being lodged
in the Crown, of restoring the port upon proper contrition,
it is highly proper, and not in Parliament, for Parliament
may not be sitting at the time when the trade of Boston
ought to be restored ; that power wliicli has a right to give
a port, has also a power of appointing quays and wharfs ; if
the power was not lodged in the Crown, quays and wiiarfs
might be made at places totally inconvenient to the custom-
house officers, and thereby prevent the collection of his Ma-
jesty's revenue.
Lord North. The test of the Bostonians will not be the
indemnification of the East India Company alone, it will
remain in the breast of the King, not to restore the port
until peace and obedience shall be observed in the port of
Boston. I am ready to admit a clause to secure those
wharfs and quays which are now in use, to be the same
when the port shall be restored. He observed, he had
been charged witli changing his opinion ; that the declara-
tion which he had made tended chiefly to the punishment of
the Bostonians, and that the Bill particularly adhered to the
views of making the India Company satisfaction. He be-
lieved tlie House would do him the justice to say, that he
had declared botli those measures to be his intention at the
first setting out of the business, as well as to restore tlie trade
to a proper footing ; that he hoped he had never deviated
Crom them, notwithstanding what the honorable gentleman,
(Mr. Fox) had charged him with ; that he should never be
a.shamed, at any time, to give up his opinion upon good
grounds ; it would be the height of obstinacy not to do it,
when he saw any good reasons to guide his opinion to better
judgment.
Mr. Van said, he agreed to the flagitiousness of the of-
fence in the Americans, and therefore was of opinion, that
the town of Boston ought to be knocked about their ears,
and destroyed. Delenda est Carthago : said he, 1 am of
opinion you will never meet with that proper obedience to
the laws of this country, until you have destroyed that nest
of locusts.
Colonel Barre said, he had very little tiioughts of
troubling the Committee upon this clause, but for an expres-
sion which fell from an honorable gentleman under the gal-
lery, delenda est Carthago. I should not have risen, said
he, had it not been for those words. The Bill before you is
the first vengeful step that you have taken. We ouo'lit to
go coolly to this business, and not trouble our heads with
who passed, or who repealed the Stamp Act, or other taxes.
We are to proceed rcbiis sic stantibus. Tlie proposition
made ye I tliought a moderate one, though I must confess I
hate the word fine ; it is a tax, and as long as I sit here
among you, 1 will oppose the taxing of America. This
Bill, I am afraid, draws in the fatal doctrine of submitting
to taxation ; it is also a doubt by this Bill, whether the port
is to be restored to its full extent. Keep your hands out of
the pockets of the Americans, and they will be obedient
subjects. I have not a doubt, but a very small part of our
strength will, at any time, overpower them. I think this
Bill a moderate one ; but 1 augur that the next proposition
will be a black one. You have not a loom nor an anvil but
what is stamped with America ; it is the main prop of your
trade. Parliament may fancy that they have rights in theo-
ry, which I will answer for, they can never reduce to prac-
tice. America employs all your workmen here : nourish
and protect it, that they may be supported.
The clause objected to by Mr. Charles Fox, passed in
the Affirmative without any division, but one or .two nega-
tives being given against it.
The Committee then rose.
Sir Charles Whitworth reported from the Committee,
that they had gone through the Bill, and made several
amendments thereunto.
The amendments were agreed to by the House ; and
several amendments were made by the House to the Bill.
Ordered, That the Bill with the amendments be en-
grossed.
Ordered, That the said Bill be read the third time, to-
morrow morning, if the said Bill shall be then engrossed.
Thursday, March 24, 1774.
Ordered, That the said Bill be read the third time, to-
morrow at twelve of the clock.
Friday, March 25, 1774.
Mr. Crosbie offered to present a Petition of William
Bollan, Esq., (styling himself agent) for and in behalf of the
Council of tlie Province of Massachusetts Bay, and likewise
of himself and the other inhabitants of the town of Boston.
And a motion being made, that the said Petition be
brought up ; it produced a short, but wann debate.*
And the question being put, the House divided; yeas 40,
nays 170.
So it passed in the Negative.
A Petition of several Natives of North America, was
presented to the House, and read; setting forth,
* In the progress of the Bill, opposition seemed to collect itself,
and to take a more active part. Mr. Bollan, the agent of the Council
of Massachusetts Bay, presented a Petition, desiring to be heard for the
siiid Council, and in behalf of himself and other inhabitants in the
town of Boston. The House refused to receive the Petition. It was
said tliat the agent of the Council was not agent for the Corporation,
and no agent would bo received, from a body corporate, except he were
appointed by all the necessary constituent parts of that body — besides,
the Council was fluctuating, and the body by which ho was appointed
could not be then actually existing.
This vote of rejection was heavily censured. The opposition cried
out at the inconsistency of the House, who but a few days ago received
a Petition from this very man in this very character; and now, only
because they choose to exert their power in acts of injustice and con.
tradiction, totally refuse to receive any tiling from him, as not duly
qualified. Were not the reasons equally strong against receiving the
first as the second Petition? But what, they asserted, made this con.
duct the more unnecessary and outrageous, was, that at that time the
House of I^rds were actually hearing Mr. Bollan on his Petition, as a
person duly qualified, at their bar. Thus said they, this House is at
once in contradiction to the other and to itself As to the reasons
given against his qualification, they are equally applicable to all
American agents; none of whom are appointed as the Minister now
required they should be-and thus the House cuts oft all commumca.
tion between them and the Colonies, whom they are affecting by their
acts. — Ann. Kegis.
47
BOSTON PORT BILL,
48
That the Petitioners, being natives of his Majesty's Do-
minions in America, and deeply interested in every pro-
ceeding of the House, which touches the Hfe, hberty, or
property, of any person or persons in tlie said Dominions ;
and that the Petitioners conceive themselves and their fel-
low subjects entitled to tiie rights of natural justice, and to
the common law of England, as their unalienable birtliright;
that they apprehend it to be an inviolable rule of natural
justice, that no man shall be condemned unheard ; and that
according to hnv, no person or persons can be judged
without being called upon to answer, iind being permitted to
hear the evidence against tiiem, and to make their defence;
and that it is therefore witii the deepest sorrow they under-
stand that the House is now about to pass a Bill, to punish
with unexampled rigour, the town of Boston, for a trespass
(MJimnitted by some persons unknown, uj)on tlie properly of
the East India Company, without tiie said town being ap-
prized of any accusation brought against them, or having
i)een permitted to hear the evidence, or to make their de-
fence ; and that the Petitioners conceive such proceedings
to be directly repugnant to every princi|)al of law and justice ;
and that, under such a precedent, no men, or body of men
in America, could enjoy a moment's security ; for if judg-
ment be immediately to follow an accusation against the
People of America, supported even by persons notoriously
at enmity with them, the accused, unacquainted with the
charge, and, from the nature of their situation, utterly inca-
pable of answering and defending themselves, every fence
against false accusation will be pulled down ; justice will no
longer be theii" shield, nor innocence an exemption from
punishment ; and representing to the House, that the law in
America ministers redress for any injuries sustained there ;
and they can most truly affirm, that it is administered in that
country with as much impartiality as in any other part of
his Majesty's Dominions ; in proof of this, they appeal to
an instance of great notoriety, in which, under every cir-
cumstance that could exasperate the People, and disturb the
course of justice. Captain Preston and his soldiers had a
fair trial, and favourable verdict. While the due course of
law holds out redress for any injury sustained in America,
they apprehend the interposition of Parliamentary power to
be full of danger, and without any precedent. If the persons
who conmiitted this trespass are known, then the East
India Company have their remedy against them at law ; if
they are unknown, tlie Petitioners conceive that there is not
an instance, even in the most arbitrary times, in which a
city was punished by Parliamentary authority, without being
heard, for a civil offence not committed in their jurisdic-
tion, and without redress having been sougin at common
law. The cases which they have heard adduced, are direct-
ly against it. That of the King against tlie city of London,
was for a murder committed within its walls, by its citizens,
in open day ; but even then, arbitrary as the times were, the
trial was public, in a court of common law; the party
heard, and the law laid down by the Judges was, that it was
an offence at the common law to suffer such a crime to be ,
committed in a walled town, tempore diumo, and none of
the offenders to be known or indicted. The case of Edin-
Imrgh, in which Parliament did interpose, was the commis-
sion of an atrocious murder within her gates, and at^orava-
ted by an overt act of high treason, in executing, aganist the
express will of the Crown, the King's laws. It is observa-
ble, that these cities had, by charter, the whole executive
power within themselves ; so that a failure of justice ne-
cessarily ensued from the connivance in both cases ; howe-
ver, full time was allowed tliem to discharge their duty, and
they were heard in their defence. But'neither has time
been allowed in tliis case ; nor is the accused heard ; nor
is Boston a walled town, nor was the act committed witiiin
it; nor the Executive power in their hands, as it is in those
o{ London and Edin'mrgh; on the contrary, the Governor
himself holds that power, and has been advised by his
Majesty's Council to can-y it into execution ; if it has been
neglected, he alone is answerable : if it has been executed,
perhaps at this instant, while punishment is inflicting here
on those who have not been legally tried, the due course of
law is operating there, to the disr-overy and prosecution of
the real offenders; and the Petitioners tliink themselves
bound to declare to the House, that they a])prchend a pro-
ceeding of executive rigour and injustice will sink dixjp in
the minds of their countrymen, and tend to alienate their
affections from this country ; and that the attachment of
America cannot survive the justice of Great Britain ; and
that, if they see a different mode of trial established for
them, and for the People of this country, a mode which
violates the sacred principles of natural justice, it must be
productive of national distrust, and extinguish those filial
feelings of respect and aftcction which have hitherto attach-
ed them to the Parent State. Urged therefore by every
motive of all'ection to both countries, by the most earnest
desire, not only to preserve their own rights and those of
their countrymen, but to prevent the dissolution of that
love, harmony, and confidence between the two countries,
which were their mutual blessing and support, beseech the
House not to pass the Bill.
Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the table.
Tiie order of the day being read, the Bill was accor-
dingly read the third time.
Mr. Charles Fox, then proposed as an amendment to
the Bill, to leave out the following clause : —
" And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid.
" That whenever it shall be made to appear to his Majesty
" in his Privy Council, that peace and obedience to the laws
" shall be so far restored in the said town of Boston, that
" the trade of Great Britain may safely be caiTied on
'• there, and his Majesty's customs duly collected, and his
" Majesty in his Privy Council shall adjudge the same to
" be true, it shall and may be lawful for his Majesty, by
" proclamation or order of Council, to assign and appoint
" the extent, bounds and limits, of the port or harbour of
" Boston, and of every creek or haven within the same, or
" in the islands within the precincts thereof; and also to
" assign and appoint such and so many open places, quays,
" and wharfs, within the said harbour, creeks, havens, and
" islands, for the landing, discharging, lading and shipping,
" of goods, as his Majesty, his heirs, or successors, shall
"judge necessary and expedient; and also to appoint such
'• and so many officers of the customs therein, as his
" Majesty shall think fit ; after which it shall be lawful for
" any person or persons to lade or put off from, or discharge
" and land upon, such wharfs, quays and places, so appoin-
" ed within the said harbour, and none other, any goods,
" wares, and merchandise, whatever. Provided always,
" That if any goods, wares, or merchandise, shall be laden
" or put off from, or discharged or landed upon, any other
" place than the quays, wharfs, or places, so to be appoint-
" ed, the same, together with the ships, boats and other ves-
" sels, employed therein, and the horses or otlier cattle,
" and carriages, used to convey the same, and the person or
" persons concerned or assisting therein, or to whose hands
" the same shall knowingly come, shall suffer all the foifei-
" tures and penalties imposed by this or any other Act, on
" the illegal shipping or landing of goods."
And the question being put, that the said clause stand
part of the Bill ?
It was resolved in the Affirmative.
Mr, Fox objected to another clause : he had objected to
these two clauses in the Committee. He said, he now-
made his objections, in order that it might appear on th(>
Journals that somebody did object to them. He then
moved as a further amendment to the Bill, to leave out the
following clause : —
" Provided, also, And it is hereby declared, and enacted,
'• that notliing herein contained shall extend, or be con-
" stnied, to enable his Majesty to appoint such port,
" harbour, creeks, quays, wharfs, places, or officei-s, in the
" said town o{ Boston, or in the said bay, or islands, until it
" shall sufficiently appear to his Majesty, tiiat full satisfac-
" tion hath been made by or on behalf of the said town of
" Boston, to the United Company of the East Indies, for
" the damage sustained by tiie said Company, by the
" destruction of their goods sent to the said town of Bos-
" t:m, on board certain ships or vessels as aforesaid, and
•' until it shall be certified to his Majesty in Council, by
" the Governor or Lieutenant Governor of the said Pro-
" vince, that reasonable satisfaction hath been made to the
" officers of his Majesty's revenue, and others, who suffered
" by the riols and insurrections above mentioned, in the
" month of November."
And the question being put, that those words stand part
of tiie Bill ?
It was resolved in the Affirmative.
49
BOSTON PORT BILL.
bt}
On the question, that this Bill do Pass :
Mr. Dowdeswell said, he rose to give his dissent to pass-
ing the same into a law; tliat he had not the least degree
of timidity in rising to oppose it ; that he always thought
the proposition totally unjust and unfair. By the Bill, a
person is to understand, that the commerce of all his Ma-
jesty's subjects is interrupted ; and, said he, I cannot give
my assent to it, until I hear the complaints from the differ-
ent manufactures of iron, leather, wool, Stc, and the mer-
chants of this country, which complaints, 1 imagine, the
liurry of passing this Bill totally prevents. It is not, says
he, that any other goods are interrupted in the port of
Boston, but those which are charged with a duty from
hence. Look to the consequences of this Bill ; you are
contending for a matter whicii the Bostonians will not give
up qfiietly. I remember, said he, when it was held a
doctrine in this House, by persons of great and extensive
knowledge, that wc had no right to tax America, There
is now no such opinion ; the question was then, " Whether
" with the profits which we receive from all our manufac-
■'■' tures exported hence, it would be a wise measure to tax
■" America V What is the reason, said he, that you single
out Boston for your particular resentment ? Have there
been no other towns in America which have disobeyed
your orders ? Has not Fhiladclj)hia, New York, and
several other Provinces, sent back their tea ? Has not the
East India Company suffered nearly as much damage from
the tea being sent back, as indeed where they have landed
it ? Charlestown is the only place where they have suf-
fered the tea to be landed ; and what have they done ?
They have put it into a damp cellar, and the whole has
become rotten and useless. You find yourselves mtich at
a loss about this Bill, and are hurt, because the innocent
are likely to be involved in the same punishment with the
guilty. You are now going to censure them, in the same
manner as was done in the case of Edinburgh, and Glasgow,
where the l*eople at large were to suffer for the neglect of
their Magistrates. There is a great difference between the
Magistrates of Edinburgh, and those of Boston ; those at
Edinburgh are chosen by the People ; those at Boston are
not ; they are appointed by the Council, and the Council
are elected by the Province at large. You are going to
appoint a new port, where there are neither sufficient
wharfs, quays, or ware-houses for carrying on business.
You hereby punish the British merchants much more-
severely than the People of Boston. The folly and child-
ishness of carrying on such a project is certainly very evi-
dent. All that you have effected, is to carry your mer-
chandise seventeen miles further from the town of Boston,
so that the Bostonians shall be obliged to be at an addition-
al expense in conveying their merchandise from the port
of Salem by land. You ask why the Americans do not
pay their debts? If you stop the exports, you will of
course stop the payment of those debts. Now, Sir, let us
consider how this Bill is founded upon principles of justice ;
if Parliament continually passes Bills, sometimes to punish
the person, at other times the places, you will, by and by,
have your hands fully employed ; you will soon inflame all
America, and stir up a contention you will not be able to
pacify. The passing this Bill in a week or so, does not
give time to the injured persons in America to petition this
House for redress. I rejoice, that you have at least had
one petition from the natives of America residing in this
country : the language of that petition bears the face of a
well written, unanswerable argument ; it is no common pe-
tition: it is the strong and pathetic language that tells their
own feelings, and those of their fellow subjects in America.
I wish to hear some arguments offered against what is con-
tained in it, for it will be said, both here and in America,
that such reasons and arguments deserve an answer.
Mr. Wdbore Ellis said, he did not rise to answer the
honorable gentleman to the first part of what he ad-
vanced, being arguments which had, in a fornner debate,
been urged and sufficiently replied to. He said this beha-
viour of the Americans was the most direct opposition to
the laws of this country that could possibly be conceived.
If this country, said he, has not a right to pass a tax on
Am.erica. they have no right to pass any law whatsoever
relative to it. The present Bill confirms no tax ; it enacts
none; it imposes none ; the tax upon tea was introduced to
prevent tea being smuggled into that country. The hon-
FouRTii Series. 4
orable gentleman (Mr. Dowdawell) has said, this Bill
was unjust and unwise. I differ much from him, and think
it both just and wise. This Bill makes it expedient for
them to do their duty, and puts the Bostonians upon the
inquiry to find out who were the parties that committed
this riot; the persons or magistrates in the town, not in-
quiring into the proceedings, are much to blame, and I can-
not think this Bill in the least unwise. Can it, Sir, be un-
wise, unless it is unwise to maintain the authority of this
country, and to punish those who have been the a<)-"-ressors
against its laws? The honorable gentleman, he said, had
mentioned that others were guilty, and why were they not
punished ? There is, said he, a different degree of crime
in each of them, and some are more to blame than others.
It is treason in the Bostonians, and can only be deemed a
high crime and misdemeanor in the others ; but, in my
mind, it appears to be wise, first to single out Bostonas the
principal ringleader of the whole disturbance, and begin this
punishment there, in order to see what effect the proceed-
ings will have ; 1 therefore think this Bill wise, prudent,
and just.
Mr. Edmund Burke. I trouble you. Sir, in the last
stage of this Bill, because I would not appear petulant
when my objections nm to the whole of it. I never knew
any thing that has given me a more heart-felt sorrow than
the present measure. This Bill is attempted to be hasten-
ed through the House in such a manner, that I can by no
means assent to it ; it is to be carried bj' force and threats
into execution ; and you have even refused to hear Mr.
BoUan, the agent, declaring him to be no agent for Mas-
sachusetts Bay, or not properly authorized by them to pre-
sent such petition ; you have not now one left in Englaiul
to be heard in behalf of any of the Colonies ; the only ob-
struction that this Bill has had, has been owing to its own
vis inertia ; but persons who oppose this Bill, are immedi-
ately put to the same kind of punishment in the public
Papers which offenders in America are. Ix)ok, Sir, into the
public Papers, you will see Cinna, and a thousand other
Boman names, throwing out their invectives, and tarring
and feathering all those who dare oppose the Bill. I sup-
pose 1 shall reap my share for this opposition : but, Sir, at
all events, I will enter my protest against this Bill, and will
mount my little palfrey, and speak of the injustice which
the Bill contains with the greatest confidence. The griev-
ance which is stated in the Papers before you on the table
appears to be an universal resistance from all America
against any goods or merchandise that shall be loaded with
taxes. — He desired that that part of General Haldiman's
letter, declaring the resolution of the Americans not to sub-
mit to receive goods with duty upon them, might be read ;
he read the extract he had made in his place ; he said, the
whole meeting in the town of Boston consisted of six or
seven hundred men of the first rank and opulent fortune in
the place ; that the proceedings were conducted with the
utmost decency. He said, this was not a meeting of mean
persons, but that the acts of resistance were all counte-
nanced by universal consent. Observe, said he, that the
disturbances arc general ; shew me one port in all America
where the goods have been landed and vended ; the dis-
temper is general, but the punishment is local, by way of
exchange. Whether it will be effectual or not, I do not
know; but, Sir, let me paint to this House the impropriety
of a measure like this ; it is a remedy of the most uncertain
operation ; view but the consequence, and you will repent
the measure ; give orders at once to your Admirals to burn
and destroy the town ; that will be both effectual, proper,
and moderate, and of a piece with the rest of your pro-
ceedings, cventus tristis. One town in proscription, the rest
in rebellion, can never be a remedial measure for general
disturbances. Have you considered whether you have
troops and ships sufficient to enforce an universal proscrip-
tion to the trade of the whole Continent of America 1 If
you have not, the attempt is childish, and the operation
fruitless. Only, Sir, see the consequence of blocking up
one port; for instance, that of Virginia Bay; which, if
you do, you will destroy the tobacco trade, and thereby
bring, as it were, a certain ruin on your own merchants at
Glasgotv and Elinburgh. This Bill has been thought a
vigorous, but not a rigorous punishment. It is my opinion
that you might even punish the individuals who committed
the violence, without involving the innocent : I should ap-
BOSTON PORT BILL.
52
prove inucli of ilr.ii; but, Sir, to f.ike away the trade from
the town of Boston, is surely a severe punislinient. Would
it not be a risoroiis measure to take a\vay the trade of the
Thames, for instance, and dirert the merrhandiseto be land-
ed at (fravescnd! 1 call this Bill most unjust, for is il
not fundamentally unjust to prevent tlie parties who iiave
offended from hein;; heard in their defence ? Justice, Sir,
is not to be measured by geographical lines nor distances.
Every man, Sir. is authorized to be a magistrate, to put a
stop to disturbances which he perceives to be conunitted
against his Majesty's peace ; but did you expect that the
People wiio were not present at sucii disturbances, would
be equally punished for not aiding and assisting in putting
an end to those riots which they never saw or heard of?
This, Sir, is surely the doctrine of devils, to require men to
be ))resent in every part of America wherever a riot hap-
l>ens: but this Bill involves those who have never in the
least been guilty ; and then you again say, tiiat the distur-
bances whicii did happen ought to liave been iuniiediately
put a stop to by the People o( Boston, and that they were
bound to preserve the good order of tiie town ; but. Sir, I
have too mucii reverence for the image of God to conceive
that the honorable gentleman (Mr. WcJborc Ellis) does
reallv and trulv imbibe such a doctrine. He then read part
of Colonel Lsslie's letter. No. 45, wiierein the Colonel
said, that neither the Governor, nor the Council, nor any
of the custom-house olHcers, have ever yet applied to nie
for any assistance ; if they had,l could most certainly have
put a stop to all their riot and violences, but not without
some bloodshed, and firing upon their town, and killing
many innocent People. VVhy, Sir. did not the Governor
at once send for this assistance? Was it contrary to, or do
you think he would have broke dirough his instructions, if
iie had endeavoured, by such ways and means, to ))reserve
the public peace, and prevent violences from being com-
mitted ? The fault of this Governor ought not to be the
means of punishinent for the innocent. You have found
that there was no Government there. Why did not the
(iovernor exercise his authority ? Why did not the ships
execute their duty ? What was the reason they did not
act ? Why is not Mr. Hancock, and the chief People, who
are known, punished, and not the innocent involved with
the guilty in one universal calamity ? You, surely. Sir,
cannot have power to take away tiie trade of a port, and
■<all it privilege ! Why was not your force that was pre-
sent applied to quell the disturbances ? How came they to
be so feeble and inactive? How are you sure that the or-
ders and frigates which you now send will act better ? I
cannot think this, by any means, a pmdent measure, in
blocking up one port after another ; the consequence will
be dreadfid, and I am afraid destructive ; you will draw a
foreign force upon you, perhaps, at a time when you little
expect it ; I will not say where th:it will end ; I will be
silent upon that head, and go no further ; but think, I con-
jure you, of the consequence. Again, Sir, in one of the
clauses of the Bill you proscribe the property of the People
to be governed and measured by the will of the Crown.
This is a ruinous and dangerous principle to adopt. There
Ls an universal discontent throughout all Amerirn, from an
Internal bad Government. There are but two ways to
govern America ; either to make it subservient to all yoitr
laws, or to let it govern itself by its own internal policy. I
abhor the measure of taxation where it is only for a quarrel,
and not for a revenue; a measure tiiat is teazing and irrita-
ting without any good effect ; but a revision of this ques-
tion will one day or other come, wherein 1 iiope to give my
opinion. But this is the day, then, that you wish to go to
war with all America, in order to conciliate that country to
tliis ; and to say that America shall be ot)edient to all the
laws of this country. 1 wish to see a new regulation and
plan of a new legislation in that country, not founded upon
your laws and statutes here, but grounded upon the vital
principles of Eniclish lilierty.
Mr. Grei/ Cooper said, he could not agree in the
doctrines laid down by the honorable gentleman who spoke
last, that the Bill was unjust or unwise ; it was. in his
opinion, a temperate and pmdent law, to preserve the trade
of this country, and protect the peace of America ; he was
sorry to find that honorable gentleman in particular should
be upbraiding (iovernment for not making use of militaiy
force : nor should he have expected that such u proposition
woidd have come from him. It has been said that the
Ameiicans cannot be heard in tiieir ow n defence before this
measure takes etl'ect. Look at the papers on the table,
where you see the resolutions of their public meetings or-
flered to be sent over here, that we might be acquainted
witii them. After such a defiance, can it be expected,
that thev would come over here to be heard, and say any
thing at your bar but what they had already told you, and
sent to you expressly in the |)apers on your table, where
they refuse a direct obedience to all your laws ? It is asked
ai;ain, Sir, whether the individuals are not to be punished
when they are found out? I appreliend. Sir, that this
measure by no means excuses the guilty persons from being
brouuiil to condign punishment. The IJlaik Act of this
country is a similar case with regard to this Bill, where the
hundred are fined in the penalty of £200 for not suppress-
ing the offences mentioned in that Act, such as cutting
down trees, breaking hanks, and other misdemeanors. The
whole hundred, in this case, are not present at the commis-
sion of the crime, yet they are ]ninished for it ; nor docs
that fine excuse the criminal from beins: particularly punish-
ed, where the aggressor can be found out. The Bill before
you is a law for the protection of trade ; it is a mild measure,
if they obey it; if they oppose it. the result of it will onlv
make the punishinent. The resolves at Boston I consider
as direct issue against the Declaratory Act ; they clearly
proved a determined resolution in the Americans to oppose
every law of this country ; hut the Bostonians alone have
carried into execution what otliers have only resolved.
This Bill, Sir, I look upon to be the act of a father chastis-
ing his son on one line, and restoring the trade and peace
of America on the other, and therefore I highly approve of
the measure.
Mr. Anthony Bacon said there was not a port in New-
England but what had suflicient ware-houses for the re-
ception of all the merchandise of Great Britain.
Governor Potvnall said, that he had always been of
opinion, that internal taxes could not legally be laid, but
that he agreed in external ones; tlrat there wanted a revi-
sion of the general laws relating to America; he said he
wished that the Tea Duty was repealed, but he did not
think this the proper time or season to adopt the measure.
There ought also to be a review of die Governments; the
Americans have a real love for Government ; tliev love
order and peace, [here the House laughed;] he said, I do
aver that they love peace, for I look upon this to be the act
of the mob, and not of the People, and wait but a little it
w-ill regulate itself.
The Lord Advocate said, the question had been very
fully argued, and he should iiive his heartv affimiative to
the Bill.
Lord John Cavendish spoke a few words airainst the
Bill, and said, he should give his negative to its passing in
its jiresent foim.
Mr. T. Townshend spoke also against the Bill, and said,
he should be against its passing into a law.
Mr. Sawhridge said, the offence of destroying the tea
was done in the night time, and not tempore diurno : tliat
this was an ex-post-facio law, and that the law of the Black
Act, which had been mentioned, was not in force before the
offence was committed ; that as far as that, or any other pre-
cedent participated of this law, so far thev were most ini-
quitous ; that it was an act of cowardice in the Minister to
come to Parliament to ask tor that which had been allowed,
and was in the power of the Crown to order and direct : he
meant, he said, the removal of the custom-house officers,
and other things mentioned in that Act, the preservation of
the peace, and the executive authority in that country. All
these might have been done by the Crown, without apply-
ing to Parliament, but die Minister was timorous of pro-
ceeding himself, and wanted to skulk behind the protection
of the Legislature.
Lord North said, he rose to explain himself, and was
sorry to commit an offence to the House at that hour of the
night, and especially as it would be to the disturbance of
the neighbourhood, who are totally innocent, [alluding to
the charge that had been made by Mr. Saivhridge. that the
innocent People in the town of Boston would suffer equally
with the offenders ;] nor am L Sir, ashamed, at any time
to take shelter under the Legislature. The honorable
gentleman says, the Minister might do certain things.
1
53
BOSTON PORT BILL.
54
wliich are to be enacted in that Bill, without application
to Piii-liaiiient, such as changing tlie custom-house oilicei-s,
ordering the peace to he preser\'ed, and a better regulation
of internal Government to take place ; but that they could
not block up a port, or make it illegal for the landing, la-
ding, and shipiiing of goods in any place heretofore granted,
without the aid of Parliament. 1 will not undertake to say
what will he the consequence or event of this measure; I
ain strongly of opinion it will be salutary and effective ;
but I will say, that it was not in the power of the Minister
to sit still and take no measure. I believe. Sir, that no
prosecution in that country, according to its present Ibrni of
Government, will be effectual; 1 was tiierefore nuich for
adopting the measure pro])osed. It certainly may be right
to direct a prosecution against those individuals who may be
found offenders ; but can the honorable gentleman be of
opinion, from what he has seen and read from the papers
on the table, that ;uiy obedience will be paid to such a
])rosecution, or that it will be in the least degree effective ?
This measure will certainly not excuse the individual of-
fenders, any more than the fine upon a county, between
sun and sun, will excuse the person who committed tiie
robbery. This is no ex-post-facto law; they committed
the offence of destroying the tea, knowing and declaring
at the same time, the law which they offended against.
The Committee of Boston, Sir, gave the directions lor the
destruction of the tea, and have declared their resolution
of resistance to the obedience of our laws ; yet we are de-
sired to hear them ; to hear those very persons who have
declared to you, and to all the world, that they intended
this violence against the law ; therefore, it is said, Sir, by
some honorable gentlemen in this House, that we ought
not to proceed in this measure till we have heard these very
People, who are the great offenders, say at your bar, in
tJieir defence, that Great Britain has no authority to tax
them : they can make no other plea ; they can make no
other declaration than what they have already done ; but.
Sir, we must adopt the measure, let what will be the conse-
quence. I hope and conclude it will he a happy one. Is
this then the best measure in the present case ? It certainly
is : I hear of none other preferable, or I would adopt it.
It is to tell America, that you are in earnest. If we do not
mean totally to give up the matter in question, we must as-
sert our right at this time, while we can, whilst it is in our
power. Instead of our treating America like a foreign
enemy, America has treated us like one ; disavowing our
authority, and declaring against all obedience to the laws of
Great Britain. We are threatened again, by one honora-
ble gentleman, lest a foreign enemy should, in this emer-
gency, start up — he stopped short, and said he would say
no more upon that head. I suppose he meant that this
foreign enemy would lay hold of America during our con-
test. Time of peace. Sir, is the only season for adopting
regulations. This is the crisis, then, in which that contest
ought to be determined. Another honorable friend of mine
is for repealing the Tea Duty. 1 am of opinion. Sir, that re-
pealing any measure whatever, at this moment) would stamp
us with a degree of timidity, and would produce a totally
different effect from what I expect this measure will do.
Governor Johnstone, I find so much difficulty in pro-
nouncing my sentiments at any time, that unless the House
is kindly disposed to hear me at this late hour, I shall
patiently sit down, because I am conscious it will require
their greatest indulgence, to enable me to express myself
in a manner worthy of their attention. A modesty becom-
ing my situation prevented me from offering my opinion
before, when I saw men of so much superior ability rising
from the beginning of the debate.
It may ap|)ear arrogant in a member so inferior, as I
confess myself to be, to offer objections to a Bill so exten-
sive in its consequences, under every consideration, espe-
cially after it nuist have been so maturely considered, in
every article, by men so distinguished by their talents, and
high stations in office, besides the general applause which
has followed the Bill in its rapid progress through this
House : nevertheless, though naturally diffident of my
opinion, when I had the good or bad fortune (I dont know
which to term it) of prognosticating to the Chairman of the
East India Company the consequences of sending this tea,
on their own acrovmt, to America, and that the event has
literally fidfilled my words, as it is well known to some
members now in my eye, it makes mc more confident in
warning the House of what I apprehend will be the con-
sequences of this Bill.
I told the Chairman of the East India Company, first
in conversation, on asking my opinion, and afterwards by
letter, that the evidence might appear in the progress of
things ; that I conceived the East India Conqjany export-
ing tea, on their own account, was, under every consider-
ation of their situation, and institution, wrong, but, under
the present discontents and disputed matters of Government
in America, criminally absurd, because they were pre-
senting themselves as the butt in the controversy, where
they woidd probably come off with the loss of the whole.
The event has justified my prediction ; for whatever repay-
ment the Company may obtain from the town of Boston,
under these cruel coercive measures now proposed, (the ef-
fect of which I still doubt,) yet the Company must remain
great losers, even if the other Provinces, equally culpable,
are made to refund the loss arising from their conduct,
because it was not supplies of cash, at a distant period, the
Company wanted, hut an immediate supply, to answer a
temporary exigency, which a combina'tion of the enemies
of the country iiad produced.
I now venture to predict to this House, that the effect of
the present Bill must be productive of a General Confed-
eracy, to resist the power of this country. It is irritating,
tempting nay, inviting men , to those deeds by ineffectual
expedients, the abortions of an undecisive mind, incapable
of comprehending the chain of consequences \jhich must
result from such a law. I am not one of those who believe
that distant Provinces can be retained in their duty by
preaching or enchantments ; I believe that vorce or
POWER, conducted with wisdom, are the means of securing
regular obedience under every establishment ; but that such
Ibrce should never be applied to any degree of rigour, unless
it should carry the general approbation of mankind in the
execution. However much such approbation may prevail
at the particular moment in this House, it is impossible to
believe the sense of Great Britain, or the sense of Ame-
rica, can go to the punishing a particular town, for resisting
the payment of the Tea Tax, which is universally odious
throughout America, and is held in ridicule and contempt
by every thinking man in this country. The question of
taxing America is sufficiently nice to palliate resistance,
if the subject had never been litigated in this country ; but
after the highest characters in this State had declared
against the right of this country to impose taxes on Ame-
rica, for the purpose of revenue ; after the general voice of
the Senate had concurred in repealing the Stamp Act,
upon that jyinciple ; after those men, who had maintained
these doctrines, had been promoted by his Majesty to the
fii-st stations in the administration of civil and judicial
affairs, there is so much mitigation to be pleaded in favor
of the Americans from those circumstances (allowing them
in an error at present) that every man nmst feel the height
of cruelty, by enforcing contrary maxims, with any degree
of severity, at first, before due warning is given.
It is in vain to say Boston is more culpable than the
other Colonies. Sending the ships from thence, and obliging
them to return to England, is a more solemn and deli-
berated act of resistance than the outrage committed by
persons in disguise in the night, when the ship refused to
depart. That of blocking up the harbour of Boston, to pre-
vent the importation of British manufactures, or the expor-
tation of goods, which are to pay for them, is a mea-
sure equally as absurd as if the Parliament here, upon
the resistance which was made to their resolution, by the
riots at Brentford, and other disturbances in the county
o{ Middlesex, had decreed by way of punishment, that the
freeholders should have been prohibited from sowing of
wheat. For whose benefit do the inliabitants of Boston toil
and labour ? The springs in the circle of commerce bear so
nicely on each other, that few men can tell by interruptinn
one, the degree and extent to which the rest may he
exposed. By excluding the importation of molasses, and
the exportation of that spirit which is distilled at Boston,
the whole Guinea trade will be affected, and in conse-
quence, the sugar trade, that depends upon it. In extending
this kind of punisliment to the other Colonies, every one
must see the danger ; and yet, if it can be approved for one,
the same arguments will hold good to approve or reject it
JOT
BOSTON PORT BILL.
56
respecting tlie other ; but let any man fisure to himself the
consequences to this country, if a similar punishment was
applied to the Colony of Virginia ; £300.000 a year dimi-
nution in revenue, besides the loss of all the foreiiin contracts,
and perliaps of that beneticial trade forever. Notwithstand-
ing the general approbation which has been given to this
Bill, ancrthe loud a])plauses which have been re-tfchoed to
every word of the noble lyord in explaining it, yet no man
will be bold enough to say, thai this partial pimisinnent is a
remcdv for the general disease. And yet without knowing
what is to follow, no man can be vindicated (oven supposing
the Bill right in |)art) for giving his assent to it. Those
gentlemen who are in the secrets of the Cabinet, and
know how assuredly every proposition from them is adopted
by this House, may be excused for their sanguine accla-
mations in favour of the measure, but the general mass, who
must be equally ignorant with myself, of what is to follow,
can have no excuse for giving their assent so readily for pun-
ishing their fellow subjects in so unprecedented a manner,
and their eager zeal serves only to shew how ready they
are to obey the will of another, without exercising their
own judgment in the case. If the Government of this
country is resisted in America, my opinion is, instead of
removing the seat of Government in the Colony, and forc-
ing the elements to bend to our will, (which is impossible)
that an effectual force should be carried to the heart of the
Colony resisting, to crush rebellion in the bud, before a
General Confederacy can be formed. In the present case
we abandon the Government, and drive the inhabitants to
despair, leaving the multitude a prey to any ambitious s])irit
that may arise. For my own part, I am convinced, from
experience in the Colonies, that good Government may be
conducted there upon rational grounds, as well as in this
country ; but the ])ower and means of governing, rewards
and punishments, are taken from your supreme executive'
Magistrate in every sense, and then you are surprised that
all order and obedience should cease. The Colonies can only
be governed by their Assemblies, as England by the House
of Commons ; the Patent Oftices, as well as those in the
Customs, which were formerly given at the recommendation
of the Governors, to men supporting Government, and resi-
ding in tiie Provinces, are now in reversion three or four lives
deep, to men living in this country. The command of the
military, which was another gi'eat source of respect and
obedience, is likew ise taken from the Governor : so that in
truth he remains an insignificant jjageant of state, fit only
to transmit tedious accounts of his own ridiculous situation :
or, like a Doctor of the Sorbonne, to debate with his
Assembly about abstract doctrines in Government.
I am far from wishing to throw any blame on Governor
Hutchinson, or to condemn him, like the town of Boston,
unheard. The absence of the man and the general clamour
against him, will restrain me from saying many things
respecting his conduct, which appear reprehensible ; but 1
cannot admit a passage in the speech of a noble Lord to
pass unnoticed. His Ijordship alleges, " That the Governor
" could not apply to the Admiral in the harbour, or to the
•'' Commanding Officer of the troops in the castle, for the
•' protection of the custom-house officers, as well as teas in
••' question, without the advice of his Council." But I beg
leave to inform the noble Lord, as I served in that station
myself, that there is a volume of instructions to every Go-
vernor on this subject, whereby he is commanded under the
severest penalties, " To give all kind of protection to trade
••' andconmierce, as well as to the officers of his Majesty's
•' Customs, by his own authority, without the necessity
••' of acting throui;li his Council." Nor can I conceive a
passible excuse for ihe destruction of those teas, while two
men-of-war lay iu the harbour, without the least application
having been made to the Admiral for protection, during so
long a transaction.
The fij-st essential point in those disputes which are now
likely to become so serious by the weakness of Adminis-
tration, in tills country, in followin!,' no connected plan,
either of force or of favour, but constantly vibrating between
the two, is to put ourselves in the riglu, and for this j)ur-
ix).se I would reconnnend the innnediate repeal of the Tea
Duty, which can be vindicated upon no principles, either of
commerce or policy. Men may allege this would be giving
up the point ; but if we have no better points to dispute
uj)on. I am ready to yield the argument. Raisin" taxes
in America for the purpose of revenue, I maintain to be
unnecessary and dangerous. A Stamp Act, as a measure of
police, varied for the difTerent Governments, and leaving
the revenue raised thereby to be appropriated by the respec-
tive Legislatures, I hold to be a measure of the highest effi-
cacy, for maintaining a due obedience to the authority of this
country, and prolonging that ilependence for ages to come.
How far it can be executed, alter what has already passed,
I am rather diffident, but of this I am certain, that in case
Great Britain is dejirived of excr.uting a measure of that
nature, which by pervading every transaction, secures the
execution in itself, she has lost one of the greatest enijines
for supporting her influence throughout the Enqiire without
oppression. Some men who are for simplifyin<r Government
to their own comprehensions, will not allow they conceive
that the supreme legislative authority shall not be para-
mount in all things, and taxation being fullv comprehended
in legislation, they argue, that the power of the one nuist
necessarily follow that of the otiier; and yet we find man-
kind possessed of privileges which are not to he violated
in the most arbitrary countries. The Province of Langue-
doc is a striking example in refutation of the doctrines res-
pecting taxation, which are held by such narrow observers.
The Kingdom of Ireland in another instance in our domin-
ions. There is not one argument which can apply for
exempting Ireland from taxation by the Parliament of
Great Britain, that does not equally protect the Colonies
from the power of such partial judges. Every man should
now call to his remembrance by w hat obstinate infatuation
Philip n, came to lose the L^nited Provinces. Can it be
supposed that in a nation so wise as Spain was at that
time, that no man perceived the injustice and futility of
the measure in dispute ? But I can easily suppose, from
the pride of authority, where our vanity is so much flatter-
ed, that no man durst venture a proposition for receding
from that cruel measure, after it had been resisted by
violence.
These arc the general heads.
The particular objections to the Bill arc, fii-st for con-
tinuing the punishment, " until satisfliction shall be made
'• to the India Company," without stating the amount, or
what that satisfaction sliall be. Next, " until peace and
" good order shall be certified to be restored," when it is
impossible, as to the subject in dispute, that such certificate
can ever be granted, because the custom-house officers are
removed, and all trade and commerce prohibited. The
numerous disputes and litigations which nmst necessarily
arise in carrying this law into execution, on contract
made by parties before they could be apprized of it, and
the despatch of ships in harbour, under the limited time,
without any exception for the desertion of seamen, or
wind and weather, is altogether melancholy to consider !
The power given to the Admiral or Chief Commander, to
order the ships returning lioni foreign voyages, to such
stations as he shall direct, is wild, vexatious, and indefinite..
That of permitting his Majesty to alter the value of all
the property in the town of Boston, upon restoring the
port, by aflixing such quays and wharfs as he only shall
appoint, for landing and shipping of goods, is liable to
such misreprasentation and abuse, that I expect to see
every evil follow the exercise of it, and it must create
infinite jealousies and distraction among the People.
I am therefore of opinion, that this Bill, both from the
principle and manner in which it has been passed, and
from forelTjnning the general regulations that are intend-
ed, and which ought at least to accompany it, instead
of quieting the disturbances in Boston, it will promote
them still further, and induce the inhabitants to cut ofT
all communication with your ships of war, which may be
productive of mutual hostilities, and most probably will
end in a general revolt.*
• To ihe Printer of the Nortolk Intelligencer.
Remarks on Governor Johnstone's Speech in the House of Commons.
Sir: — Political debates, from tlio misguided rafje of the Speakers,
often rise to an enormous height ; indeed, it requires a long course of
exi)erience to determine tlic real interest of the State in every impor.
tant point that occurs. The loudest cavillers against the measures of
Government after running their splendid career, become lordly efB.
gies of .State, and exhibit a striking portrait of the complexion of the
tim<s. In the British annals, the transformation of violent zealots for
public liberty into its most inveterate enemies, clearly proves that tlie
gilded top fur which ambition panta, has an irresistible attraction ;
57
BOSTON PORT BILI..
58
Mr. Saicbrid^c said, lie rose again, just to blame the
Minister for beinj; timid in doing his duty without the au-
thority of Parliament. He was very certain, he said, that
there' were three thini!;s in the Bill ; that there was this,
and this, an<i this things which the Minister might have
done without skulking behind the Legislative authority for
shelter; that indeed the fourth, of stopping up their port,
he believed it was proper to apply to Parhanient for ; but
he was very certain that this, and this, and this, might have
been done without the aid of Parliament.
Lord North. Sir, 1 have been formerly blamed for being
the onlv ostensible Minister of this country. 1 am now
charged with not coming forth and doing the duty of an
acting Minister without applying to Parliament. 1 never.
Sir, am ashamed to have the sanction and direction of Par-
liament as the rule and guide of my conduct ; but. Sir, if I
had done, as the honorable gentleman who spoke last,
wishes me to have done, this, and this, and this, I had done
nothing, unless 1 had come to Parliament forthat. and that,
then the main object, what the honorable gentleman thinks
I ought to have come to Parliament for, and without that,
he allows I should do nothing ; but however he may wish
nie to have done this, and this, and this, of my own head as
a IMinister, the honorable gentleman, (fond as he is, and
always has been, of prerogative,) would have disagreed to
my proceeding, and objected against it.
The Bill was then Passed without a division.
HOUSE OF LORDS.
Saturday, March 26, 1774.
A ^^essage was brought up from the House of Com-
mons, by Mr. Cooper, and others.
With a Bill intituled, " An Act to discontinue, in such
but the douceurs of the Court have been dealt witli so cautious a hand
of lute, and so accurate an iuspaction into the meritsof the candidates,
that miiny officious pretenders liave retired into the vale of discontent,
dispirited, unbctViended, and defeated; common observers do not
readily trace tlio various transactions and refinements which the pa-
triotic character undergoes before it can be ripened into , modern
maturity ; a retrospect into certain promotions will confirm the truth
of this assertion, and it is as demonstrable to the full, that the twinges
of the political gout are as severe and incurable as the corporal.
I shall now, !Sir, with steady attention garble those passages in the
honorable gcntleman^s speech, which never would have attracted my
notice, but for the influence it seems to have had over the minds of
some very narrow connoisseurs here. It is with the strictest deference
to the sago politicians in this part of the world, that I offer a few re-
marks. I will then first warn those who entertain so high an opinion
of it, to weigh maturely the arguments it contains; they will then
find otlicr doctrines blended with those they so warmly adopt, rather
unfavourable to the sticklers for a commonwealth. The elegant
modesty of his exordium would have merited applause, had we not
discerned its excessive decline through the whole course of the debate.
He is not unacquainted with the elaborate logic of the ancients, nor
insensible that eloquence on all subjects, has strong pretensions to
lit'.'rary ebteem, for he aims at profound sagacity in developing the
principles of moral philosophy.
" I now venture to predict to this House, that the effeot of the pre,
"sent Bill nmst be productive of a General Confederacy to resist the
" pow'-T of this county. It is irritating, tempting, nay ! inviting men
" to those deeds by ineft'ectual expedients, the abortions of an undo,
"eisive mind, incapable of comprehending the chain of consequences
" wliioh must result from such a law. I am not one of those, who
" believe that distant Provinces can be retained in their duty, by
"preaching or encliantnients; I believe that force or power, con.
"ducted with wisdom, are tlie means of securing regular obedience
" under every establishment; but that sucli force should never be ap.
"plied to any degree of rigour, unless it shall carry the general ap.
"probation of mankind in the execution."
If the melancholy prospect of affairs, heightened by alarms from
the Iniliiins on the frontiers, presents to our view, evident symptoms
of commercial decline here, whicli is the greatest mart for trade in the
Colony; I cannot imagine, that tliinking men would be so mad, as
to form a general revolt. If courts of justice agree to annihilate
themselves, it nmst bo wholly, cannot bo conditionally. Can this con-
sist with the loyalty and good manners we profess for the Prince, or
that virtuous fortitude which combines society in an indissoluble
union? Can acts of injustice obtain the sanction of unanimous con-
DOtkt? How ibstracted and refined is the gentleman's reasoning, to
anticipate the general approbation of mankind, as if in an ingenious
combination of speculalivo sentiments, could destroy tliat dispensing
power which is the iiKister-wheel, or that discerning policy whicli is
ijitcrwoven in the frame of all Governments. He goes on — ■
" But aft"r the highest characters iu the State had d.clared against
"the right ofthis coimtry, to impose taxes on Aiiifrica for the purpose
"of raising a revenue; after the general voice of the Senate had con-
"curred in repealing the Stamp Act, upon that principle, after tliose
' "men who had maintained these doctrines had been promoted by his
" Majesty, to the first stations in the administration ol' civil and judi-
"cial air.tirs ; there is much mitigation to bo pleaded in favour of the
" An}eriea7iii Irom those circumstances, (allowing them in an error at
"present,) that every man must feel the height of cruelty by enforc-
" manner, and for such time as are therein mentioned, the
" landing and discharging, lading or shipping, of goods,.
" wares, or merchandise, at the town, and within the har-
" hour of Boston, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay,
" in North America ;" to which they desire the concurrence
ofthis House.
The said Bill was read the first time :
Ordered, That the said Bill be read a second time, on
Monday next, and the Lords be summoned.
Monday, March 28, 1774.
The Lord Wycombe jiresented to the House, the fol-
lowing Petition of Stephen Sayer, and others, Natives of
America ;
The same was read by tlie Clerk, as follows :
To the Right Honorable the Lords Spiritual and Tem-
poral, in Parliament assembled, the humble Petition oj
several Natives of America, showeih :
That your Petitioners, being Natives of his Majesty's
Dominions in America, are deeply interested in every pro-
ceeding of this right honorable House, which touches the
life, liberty, or property, of any person or persons in the
said Dominions.
That your Petitioners conceive themselves and their fel-
low subjects to be entitled to the rights of natural justice,
and to the common law of England, as their unalienable
birthright ; that they apprehend it to be an invariable rule
of natural justice, that no man shall be condemned unheard ;
and that, according to law, no person or persons can be
judged without being called upon to answer, and being per-
mitted to hear the evidence against them, and to make their
defence.
That it is therefore with the deepest concern, they un-
derstand that there is now before this right honorable
House, a Bill of Pains and Penalties, to be inflicted on the
"ing maxims with any degree of severity at first, before due warning
"is given."
When men grow adepts in the theory of rebellion, and form BC-hemea
to emancipate themselves from the control of the laws ; when they
consider all requisitions from Britain, as unjust, all acts of Parlia.
ment as tyrannical, the mode of punishment must be extraordinary;
the levy of one pound irritates as much as one thousand ; and as to
the conduct of certain members in the House of Commons, I cannot
think their principles impeachable, who advise the promotion of the
patriotic zealots, if their preferment could restore the peace and har-
mony of the State. I do not mean to impeach the member's know-
ledge of agriculture ; yet, I think the comparison relative to sewing
wheat bears a very far-fetched analogy to the Bustonians punishment.
Most of the remarks relative to the event of the Act, are too vague to
aftord any insight to the most prying observer. How are the People
to cloth and support themselves during the execution of his Quixotte
schemes ? He is confounded in his own ingenious doubts, and leaves
the arduous task of unravelling all to the good natured world. But what
gleams of consolation do tiiey derive from the following assertions :
" If the Government of this country is resisted in America, my
" opinion is, instead of removing the seat of Government iu the Colo-
"ny, and forcing the elements to bend to our will, (which is impossi-
"ble,) that an etfeotual force should be carried to the heart of the
"Colony resisting, to crush rebellion in the bud, before a General Con,
" federacy can be formed." So that you aec this great man is not an
invincible proselyte to moderate measures, but would chastise in cases
of urgent necessity.
Can tumultuous meetings remedy the defects of law ? Is there not a
discretionary power in the civil police to summon the posse comitatus .'*
Has it not been deemod strictly legal in Britain, to strengthen that
body by military aid, on great emergencies ? But when men, in high
offices of civil trust, connived at the base resolves of an immaculate
body of select citizens ; the Governor could not consistently with his
duty interfere, without infringing those rights they pretended they
met to secure ; had he taken any steps at all, he must have suppressed
the whole meeting; and their heart-felt groans for expiring liberty
would have re-echoed to the inmost recess of his jialace. His inter-
position would not have been official, and they never would have al-
lowed the greatness of the emergency to supersede the force of their
chartered rights. His reasons for repealing the Tea Duty, are ex-
ceedingly futile ; he thinks it cannot be vindicated ; a dogmatical as-
sertion, of a similar stamp and spirit with the rest. His remarks upon
inherent privileges are ridiculous. Can any charter grant destroy the
fabric of that Government which gave it birth ; at any rate, the pre.
cedent would bo far more ignominious for Great Britain to yield to
America, than America to testify her allegiance to Britain. The disputes
and litigations which the Bostonians have brought upon themselves,
they must abide by the consequences of. They have baffled the expedi-
ency of the wisest laws ; such crimes are heinous, and richly deserve
capital punishment. If the People of Boston act with discretion, they
may receive continual improvements in trade ; let them comply in
time, and earnestly seize this grand criterion, to distinguish their real,
from their pretended friends, and the happy consequences resulting
from such a timely avowal of their allegiance, and cemented by the
constant practice of virtue and good manners, will discover a firm zeal
for their Prince, a virtuous fortitude in themselves, and be an eternal
memorial of that discerning policy which is the essential character
ifltic of a free and loyal People. OB.'SERVA.TOR.
Norfolk Borough, June 30/A. 1774.
59
BOSTON PORT BILL.
60
town of Boston, for a trespass, committed by some persons
unknown, upon the property of the ImsI India Company,
without tlic said town havin<; been apprized of any accusa-
tion being brou!;lit ai;ainst tiiem, or permitted to hear the
evidence, if tlierc be any, and to maiie llieir defence.
Tliat the Bill takes away immecrialely from the inhabi-
tants of the town, the use of property, to the amount of
several hundred thousand pounds, vested in quays, wharfs,
stores, 8ic. Tiiat it will restrain many thousands of his
Majesty's subjects from subsistlnir tliemsehes and tiieir
liimilies, by their usual employments : that it w ill punisli llio
innocent for the ;:uilty ; and even should all the reparation
r(;fjuired by the Bill be made, the restoration of that pro-
jierty, or any part of it, is suffered to depend solely upon
ijie will of the Crown.
1 our Petitioners conceive such proceeding to be directly
ropuijnant to every jirinciple of law and justice : and that
under such a precedent, no man. or body of men. could
I'ujoy a moment's security; for if judgment be immediately
10 follow an accusation, the accused, unacquainted with the
charge, and debarred from defenfling themselves, every
fence against liilse accusation will be pulled down, justice
will no longer be a shield, nor innocence an exenq)iion
from punishment.
Your Petitioners beg leave to represent, that the law in
America, ministers redress for any injury sustained there ;
and they can most tmly affirm, that it is administered in
that country with as much iiiq)artiality, as in any other part
of his Majesty's Dominions. In proof of this, tliey appeal
to an instance oi great notoriety, in which, under every cir-
cumstance that could exasperate the People, and disturb
the course of justice, Captain Fnston and his soldiers had
a fair trial, and a favourable \erdict. The due course of
law thus manifestly holding out redress, they cannot but
(consider the interposition of Parliamentary power to be its
imnecessary, as it is arbitrary and unjust.
Your Petitioners conceive, that this right honorable
House, being the supreme judicature of this A'ation, are too
well acquainted with the inviolable rules of justice, to re-
ifiire any further objections to the Bill against the town of
Boston, now under consideration.
They therefore trust and pray, that this right honorable
House will not pass a Bill, which is to condenui and punish
jjersons unheard, and therefore deprived of that privilege,
which every principle of justice, and every practice of law,
allows to the meanest individual : the privilege of hearing
and controverting the evidence against liim, and maintain-
ing his innocence.
And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.
Signed,
Stephen Saycr, John Peronncau,
IVilliam Lee, Peeke Fuller,
Benjamin Franklin. E'lward Fenicicke,
fVilliam Middlcton, IViUinm Middleto,'., Jim.
Henry Laurence, Th'imas Finckney,
Ralph Jzard, William Hascl Gihhs,
Isaac Motte, Thomas Bromfteld,
John Ellis, Joshua Johnston,
Hugh Williamson, John Hobson,
Thomas Barker, Daniel Bowley,
John Boylston, John Allci/nc,
Arthur Lee, fFilliam Blake,
Thomas Ruston, John Ballendine,
Philip Neyle, J. Williams.
Edward Bancroft,
Ordered, That the said Petition do lie on the table.
The order of die day being read, for taking into con-
sideration the several Papers laid before this House, (by his
Majesty's command,) relating to Disturbances in America ;
and also his Majesty's most gracious Message in relation
thereto; and for the Lords to be summoned :
And the said Papers were accordingly read by the
Clerk.
Then the order of the day being read, for the second
reading of the Bill, and for the Lords to be summoned :
Tiie said Bill was accordingly read the second time.
It was moved ■' to commit the Bill," which being ob-
jected to ;
After long debate, the question was put thereon ? It was
resolved in the .\ffinnative.
Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to a Com-
mittee of the whole House.
Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee
upon the said Bill to-morrow, and the Ix>rds be sum-
moned.
Tuesday, March 29, 1774.
Tlie order of the day lieing read, the House was put
into a Committee of the whole, upon the Bill.
The Bill was supported by the l^ords Mansfield, Goiaer,
Littleton, fVeymuuth, and Suffolk: it was opposed by the
Dukes of Richmond, and Manchester, the Marquis of
Rockisisrham, and the Lords Temple, Shelburne, Camden,
and Stair; but the principal arguments were between the
Lords Mansfield and Camden.
After some time, the House was resumed :
And the Lord Boston reported from the Committee,
•' Thai they had gone through the Bill, and directed him to
" report the same to the House, without anv amendment.'
Ordered, That the said Bill he read a third time to-
morrow, and that the Lords be summoned.
Wednesday, March 30, 1774.
The Earl of Stair presented to the House a Petition of
William Bollan, Esq., Agent for the Council oi' the Pro-
vince of Massachusetts Bay.
The same was read by the Clerk as follow s :
To the Right Honorable the Lords Spiritual and Tempo-
ral, in Parliament assembled, the Petition of William
Bollan, Esq., Agent for the Council of the Frovinn: of
Massachusetts Bay, most humbly shoieeth :
That the " Bill for the immediate removal of the oflicers
" concerned in the collection and management of his Ma-
" jesty's duties of Customs, from the town of Boston, in the
'' Province oi Massachusetts Bay, in North America ; and to
'■ discontinue tlie landing, discharging, lading, and shipping,
" of goods, wares, and merchandise, at the said town of
" Boston, or within the harbour thereof," at present depcnc'-
ing under consideration of this right honorable House, con-
tains various provisions proposed to be enacted, inconsistent
with the ancient and just rights, lawful possessions, usual
comforts of life, and common social benefits, with other im-
portant interests of the Petitioner's constituents, long lield
ill amicable conjunction with other inhabitants of Boston,
and the Province, and the other Colonies, and the most de-
sirable connection with innumerable persons employed in
manufactures, trade, and navigation, in Great Britain,
whereby they have been well maintained, and praspered ;
and moreover, with the general circulation of American
commerce, from which so great benefits are dailv recei\ed
by this Kingdom, in various ways.
That the merchants of Boston were not jiartakers of the
offence committed in the iate destruction of the tea there,
nor of any other act of violence ; nevertheless, if the present
Bill be enacted, they will become the chief sufferers, totje-
ther with numerous British merchants and manufacturers.
Wherefore your Lordships Petitioner humbly prays
that he may be heard before this riglit honorable House, in
order to prevent these provisions from passing to be enacted.
W. Bollan.
Which done,
The said Mr. Bollan was called in, and heard at the bar,
against the said Bill.'
He is directed to withdraw. Then the said Bill was
read the third time.
The question was put, " whether this Bill shall Pass r "
It was resolved in the Affirmative, Ncmine Disscntientc.
Thursday, 7V/«rc/i 31, 1774.
His Majesty being seated on the Throne, adorned with
his Crown and reiral ornaments, and attended bv his offi-
cers of State, (the Lords being in their robes,) the Com-
mons with their Speaker, attending; the Royal assent was
pronounced severally, by the Clerk's Assistant, to thirty-
nine Bills, beginning with the Boston Port Bill.
The following Petition of the IVatives of America, then
in London, was presented to the King, on the nioming
of the 3l9l of March, before he went to the House
of Ixirds :
61
BOSTON PORT BILL.
«t
7'o the King's iiiost excellent Mnje.sti/. the humble Peti-
tion of several Natives of America, shoireih :
That your Majesty's Petitioners are natives of your Do-
minions in America, and Ijear most true and cordial alle-
•rianoe to your Majesty's Royal person and family.
Tliat allei!;iance and protection bein!,^ reci])rocal, your
Petitioners look up to your Majesty for protection under
the common law of tiie land, which is their birth-right.
That, according to law, no man can be condemned to
punislunent witliout beini( called upon to answer, nor with-
out an opportunity of hearing- the evidence ai;ainst him, and
defendintc his innocence. That in violation of this law , and
of every principle of natural justice, a Bill is now ofiered
lor the Royal assent, calculated to inflict pains and penal-
ties, with unexampled severity, upon your Majesty's loyal
town of Boston, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay ; the
said town beino; unap prized of the proceedings, and not
heard in its defence : that such Bill, if it receive your Ma-
jesty's assent, will immediately take away from the inliabi-
tants of the town of Boston the use of property to the
amount of several himdred thousand pounds, vested in
quays, wharfs, store-houses, &c. ; will restrain many thou-
sands of your Majesty's subjects from procuring subsistence
for themselves and their families, by their ordinary occupa-
tions ; may endanger the community, by violent commo-
tions from so many men rendered desperate, by being de-
prived of their daily bread ; and, \\hat cannot but do the
last violence to the Royal justice, will punish the innocent
for the guilty.
Your Majesty's Petitioners most humbly represent, that
this Bill is the more unjust, as the trespass it is meant to
jJunLsh, has not been prosecuted in the Courts of common
law in America, where only according to law and the con-
stitution, it is cognizable. That the interposition of this
Bill is as totally unnecessary as the mode of it is unjust ;
because, your Majesty's Courts in America, are open to the
redress of any injury sustained there; and justice is so little
liable to perversion, that under every impression of popular
prejudice. Captain Prt/ston and others had, in this your
Majesty's Province of the Massachusettt Bay, a fair trial,
and a favourable verdict.
Your Majesty's Petitioners ■ do therefore humbly pray,
that your Majesty will be most graciously pleased to sus-
pend your Royal assent to a Bill, calculated to condemn
and punish their countrymen unheard, and fomi a prece-
dent, which will take away every securit) and protection,
under the law, from all your Majesty's subjects in America.
Ajid your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
William Lee,
B. Franklin,
John Ellis,
H. Laurence,
miliam Blake,
Robert Izard,
Charles Fuller,
Isaac Motte,
Thomas Barker,
William Middleton,
Thomas Ruston,
Petke Fuller,
Joh. Williams,
Robert Izard, Jun.,
Philip Neyle,
J. F. Grimkb,
Walter Izard,
Edward Fenwicke,
Thomas Pinckney,
William Middleton, Jun.
John Boylstov,
John Ballendine,
John Ward,
Jos. Johnston,
John Hobson,
Daniel Bowley,
John Perronneau,
Arthur Lee,
Joel Poinsett,
William n. Gibbs,
James Marshall.
Anno Decimo Quarto Georgii III. Regis.
An Act to discontinue in ntch Manner, and for such Time
as are therein mentioned, the landing and discharging,
lading or shipping, of Goods, Wares, and Merchandise,
at the Town and jvithin the Harbour q/" Boston, in the
Province of Massachusetts Bay, in North America.
Whereas dangerous commotions and insurrections have
been fomented and raised in the town of Boston, in the
Province of Massachusetts Bay, in Ncu< England, by
divers ill-afl'ected persons, to the subversion of his Majes-
ty's Govenunent, and to the utter destniction of the jniblic
peace, and good order of the said town ; in which commo-
tions and insurrections certain valuable cargoes of teas,
being the property of the East India Company, and on
board certain vessels 1\ ing within the bay or harbour of
Boston, were seized and destroyed : and w hereas in the
present condition of the said town and harbour, the
connnerce of his Majesty's subjects cannot be safely carried
on there, nor the Customs payable to his Majesty duly
collected ; and it is therefore expedient that tlie oiKcers of
his Majesty's Customs should be forthwith removed from
the said town ; may it please you Majesty that it may be
enacted, and be it enacted by the King's most excellent
Majesty, by and with the advise and consent of the Lord<
Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons in this present
Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same,
that from and after the lirst (lay of June, 1774, it shall not
be lawful for any person or persons whatsoever, to lade or
put, or cause or procure- to be laden or put, oft" or from
any quay, wharf, or other place, within the said town of
Boston, or in or upon any part of the shore of the bay.
commonly called the Harbour of Boston, between a certain
headland or point, called Nahant Point, on the eastern side
of the entrance into the said bay, and a certain headland or
point called Alderton Point, on the western side of the en-
trance into the said bay, or in or upon any island, creek,
landing place, bank, or other place, within the said bay,
or tieadlands, into any ship, vessel, lighter, boat, or bottom,
any goods, wares, or merchandise, whatsoever, to be trans-
ported or carried into any other country, pro\ince, or
place, whatsoever, or into any other part of the said Pro-
vince of the Massachusetts Bay, in Neiv England; or to
take up, discharge, or lay on land, or cause or procure to
be taken up, discharged, or laid on land, within the said
town, or in or upon any of the places aforesaid, out of ai\\
boat, lighter, ship, vessel, or bottom, any goods, wares, or
merchandise, whatsoever, to be brought from any other
country, province, or place, or any other part of the said
Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in Neiv England,
upon the pain of forfeiture of the said goods, wares, and
merchandise, and of the said boat, lighter, ship, vessel, or
other bottom, into which the same shall be put, or out of
which the same shall be taken, and of the guns, ammuni-
tion, tackle, furniture, and stores, in or belonging to the
same ; and if any such goods, wares, or merchandise, shall
within the said town, or in any the places aforesaid, be
laden or taken in from the shore into any barge, hoy, lighter,
wherry, or boat, to.be carried on board any ship or vessel
outward bound to any other country or province, or other
part of said Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New
England, or be laden or taken into such barge, hoy,
lighter, wherry, or out of any ship or vessel coming and
arriving from any other country or province, or other part
of the said Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in Neu-
England, such barge, hoy, lighter, wherry, or boat, shall
be forfeited and lost.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
That if any wharfinger, or keeper of any wharf, crane, or
quay, or their servants, or any of them, shall take up or
land, or knowingly suffer to be taken up or landed, or shall
ship oft", or suffer to be waterborne, at or from any of the
aforesaid wharfs, cranes, or quays, any such goods, wares,
or merchandise ; in every such case, all and every such
wharfinger, and keeper of such wharf, crane, or quay, and
every person whatsoever who shall be assisting, or otherwise
concerned in the shipping or in the loading or putting on
board any boat or other vessel, for that purpose, or in the
unshipping such goods, wares, and merchandise, or to whose
hands the same shall knowingly ceme after the loading,
shipping or unshipping thereof, shall forfeit and lose treble
the value thereof, to be computed at the highest price
which such sort of goods, wares, and merchandise, shall
bear at the place where such offence shall be committed,
at the time when the same shall be so committed, together
with the vessel and boats, and all the horses, cattle and
carriages, whatsoever made use of in the shipping, un-
shipping, landing, removing, carriage, or conve3'ance of
any of the aforesaid goods, wares, and merchandise.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
That if any ship or vessel shall be moored or lie at anchor,
or be seen hovering within the said bay, described and
bounded as aforesaid, or within one league from the said ba\
so described, or the said headlands, or any of the islands
lying between or within the same, it shall and may be
lawful for any Admiral, Chief Commander, or commissioned
68
BOSTON PORT BILL.
64
officer, of his Majesty's fleet or ships ol war, or for any
officer of his Majesty's custowis, to compel such ship or
vessel to depart to some oiIkt ))ort or harhour, or to such
station a.s the said officer shall appoint, and to use such force
for that purpose as siiall be found necessary ; and if such
ship or vessel shall not depart accordin<:ly, uithin six hours
after notice for that purpose c;iven by such person as
aforesaid, such ship or vessel, touether with all the f;oods
laden on board thereon, and all the <runs, ammunition,
tackle and furniture, shall be forfeited and lost, whether
hulk sliall have been broken or not.
Provided alway.i, That nothino; in tliis Act contained
shall extend, or be construed to extend, to any military or
other stores for his Majesty'suse, or to the ships or vessels
whereon the same shall he laden, which shall be commis-
sioned by, and in the immediate pay of, his Majesty, his heirs
and successors : nor to any fuel or \ictual brouLdit coastways
from any part of the Continent of America, for the neces-
sary use and sustenance of the inhabitants of the said town
of Boston : provided the vessel wherein the same are to be
carried, shall be duly furnished with a cocket and let-pass,
after having been duly searched by the proper officers of
his Majesty's customs at Mnrblehead, in the port of Sahm,
in the said Province of Mnssncliusdts Bmj ; and the same
officer of his Majesty's Cusioms he also jiut on board the
said vessel, who is hereby authoriz.ed to go on hoard, and
proceed with the said vessel, together with a sufficient
number of pereons, properly amied, for his defence, to the
said town or harbour of Boston ; nor to any ships or vessels
which may happen to be within tiie said harbour of Boston,
on or before tlie the first day of June, 1774, and may
have either laden or taken on board, or be tliere with intent
to load or take on hoard, or to land or discharge any goods,
wares, and merchandise, provided tiie said ships and \ essels
do depart the said harbour within fourteen days after the
first day of June, 1774.
And be it further enacted Inj the authority aforesaid,
That all seizures, penalties, and forfeitures, inflicted by this
Act, shall be made and prosecuted by any Admiral, Chief
Commander, or commissioned officer, of his Majesty's fleet,
or ships of war, or by the officers of his Majesty's Customs,
or some of them, or by some other person deputed or
authorized, by warrant from the Lord High Treasurer, or
the Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury, for the time
being, and by no other person whatsoever ; and if any
such officer, or other person authorized as aforesaid, shall
directly or indirectly, take or receive any bribe or reward,
or connive at such lading or unlading, or shall make or
commence any collusive seizure, information, or agreement,
for that purpose, or sliall do any other act whatsoever,
whereby the goods, wares, or merchandise, prohibited as
aforesaid, shall be suffered to pass either inwards or out-
wards, or whereby the forfeitures and penalties inflicted by
this Act may be evaded, every such offender shall forfeit
the sum of five hundred pounds for every such offence, and
shall hecome incapable of any office or employment, civil or
military ; and every person who shall give, offer, or promise,
any such bribe or reward, or shall contract, agree, or treat
with, any person, so authorized as aforesaid, to commit
any such offence, shall forfeit the sum of fifty pounds.
And he it further enacted by the authority aforesaid.
That the forfeitures and penalties inflicted by this Act shall
and may be prosecuted, sued for, and recovered, and be
divided, paid, and applied, in like manner, as other ))enal-
ties and forfeitures inflicted by any Act or Acts of Parlia-
ment, relating to the trade or revenues of the British
Colonies, or Plantations in America, are directed to be
prosecuted, sued for, or recovered, divided, paid and
applied, by two several Acts of Parliament, the one ]iassed
in the fourth year of his present Majesty, intituled " An
" Act fof granting certain Duties in the British Colonies
" and Plantations in America ; for continuinir, amending,
" and making perpetual, an Act, passed in the sixth year of
" the Reign of his late Majesty King George the Second,
" intituled, An Act for the better securing and encouraging
" the tr.ule of his Majesty's Sugar Colonies in America ;
" for applyinj; the produce of such duties, and of the duties
" to arise by virtue of the said Act, towards defraying the
" expense of defending, protecting, and securing, the said
" Colonies and Plantations ; for explaining an Act made
" in the twenty-fifth year of the Reign of King Charles
" the Second, intituled, An Act for the encouragement of
" the Greenland and Eastland Trades, and for the better
" securing the Plantation Trade ; and (or altering and
" disallowing several drawbacks on exports from this King-
" dom, and more effectually preventing the clandestine
" conveyance of goods to, and irom, the said Colonies and
" Plantations, and imi)roving and securing the trade betw een
" the same and Great Britain ;" the other passed in the
eighth year of his present Majesty's Reign, intituled, " An
" Act ibr the more easy and effectual recovery of the
" penalties and forfeitures inflicted by the Acts of Parlia-
" ment, relating to the trade or revenues of the British
" Colonies and Plantations in America."
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
That every charter party bill of loading, and other contract,
for consigning, shipping, or carrying any goods, wares, and
merchandise, wh.atsoever, to or iVoni the said town of Bos-
ton, or any part of the bay or harbour thereof, described
as aforesaid, which have been made or entered into, or
which shall be made or entered into, so long as this Act
shall remain in full force, relating to any ship which
shall arrive at the said town or harbour, after the first day
of June, 1774, shall be, and the same an hereby declared
to be, utterly voiil, to all intents and purposes whatso-
ever.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid.
That whenever it shall be made to appear to his Majesty,
in his Privy Council, that peace and obedience to the laws
shall be so far restored in the saiil town of Boston, that
the trade of Great Britain tnay be safely carried on there,
and his Majesty's customs duly collected, and his Majesty,
in his Privy Council, shall adjudge the same to be true, it
shall and may be lawful for his Majesty, by Proclamation,
or Order of Council, to assign and appoint the extent,
bounds and limits, of the port or harbour of Boston, and
of every creek or haven within the same, or in the islands
within the precinct thereof; and also to assign and appoint
such and so many open places, quays, and wharft, wuhin
the said harbour, creeks, havens, and islands, for the
landing, discharging, lading, and shipping of goons, as his
Majesty, his heirs, or successors, shall judge necessary and
expedient ; and also to appoint such and so many officers
of the Customs therein, as his Majesty shall think fit ; after
which it shall be lawful for any person or persons to lade
or put oft" from, or to discharge and land ui)on, such wharfs,
quays, and places, so appointed, within the said harbour,
and none other, any goods, wares, and merchandise, what-
soever.
Provided always, Tliat if any goods, wares or merchan-
dise, shall be laden or put off from, or discharged or
landed upon, any other place than the quays, wharfs, or
places, so to be appointed, the same, together with the
ships, boats, and other vessels emjjloyed therein, and the
horses, or other cattle and carriages used to convey the
same, and the person or persons concerned or assisting
therein, or to whose hands the same shall knowingly come,
sliall suffer all the forfeitures and penalties imposed by this
or any other Act on the illegal shipping or landing of
goods.
Provided also. And it is hereby declared and enacted,
that nothing herein contained shall extend or be construed,
to enable his IMajesty to appoint such port, harbour, creeks,
quays, wharfs, places, or oliicers, in the said town ofBo'ston,
or in tlie said bay or islands, until it shall sufficiently ajipear
to his Majesty, that full satisfaction hath been made by or on
behalf of the inhabitants of the said town of Boston, to
the United Company of merchants of England, trading to
the East Indies, for the damages sustained by the said
Company, by the destruction of their goods sent to the
said town of Boston, on board certain ships or vessels, as
aforesaid ; and until it shall be certified to his Majesty, in
Council, by the Governor, or Lieutenant Governor, of
the said Province, that reasonable satisfaction hath been
made to the officers of his Majesty's Revenue and others,
who suffered by the riots and insurrections above men-
tioned, in the months of November and Dvomber, in the
year 1773, and in the month of January, in the year 1774.
And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid,
That if any action or suit shall be commenced, either in
Great Britain or America, against any person or persons,
for any thing done in pursuance of this Act of Parliament,
65
BILL FOR GOVERNMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
66
tlio defendant or defendants, in sucli action or suits, may
plead the general issue, and give the said Act, and the
special matter in evidence, at any trial to be had thereupon,
and that the same was done in pursuance and by the au-
thority of this Act ; and if it shall appear so to have
been done, the jury shall find for the defendant or defen-
dants ; and if the plaintiff shall be nonsuited, or discontinue
his action, after the defendant or defendants shall have
appeared ; or if judgment shall be given upon any verdict
or demurrer against the plaintiff, the defendant or defen-
dants shall recover treble costs, and have the like remedy
for the same as defendents have in other cases by law.
III. BILL FOR THE BE ITER REGULATING THE GOVERNxAlENT
OF THE PROVINCE OF 31ASSACHUSETTS BAY.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
Friday, March 25, 1774.
Resolved, That this House will this day, after the House
shall have ))roceeded upon the other orders of the day, re-
solve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to talie
into further consideration his Majesty's most gracious Mes-
sage of Monday, the 7th day of this instant, March, together
with the Papers which were presented to the House by
Lord North, upon the 7th and 11th days of this instant,
March, by his Majesty's command.
Ordered, That the several Papers which were presented
to the House by the Lord North, upon the 28th day of
November and 7th day of December, 1768, and the 20th
day of January, \ 769 ; and also the several Papers pre-
sented to the House by Mr. Vice Ciiamberlain, upon the
7th day of May, 1770, from No. 1, to No. 9, inclusive,
relating to his Majesty's Colonies, in North America, be
referred to the said Committee.
Ordered, That tiie Paper, intituled " Massachusetts
" Bay Charter, granted by King fVilliamand Queen. Mary,
" in the tliird year of their reign," which was presented to
the House upon the 22d day o( January, 1740, be referred
to the said Committee.
Monday, March 28, 1774.
Resolved, That this House will immediately resolve
itself into a Committee of the whole House, to take into
further consideration his Majesty's most gracious Message
of Monday, the 7th day of this instant, March, together
with the Papers which were presented to the House by the
Lord North, upon the 7th and 11th days of this instant,
March, by his Majesty's command.
The House accordingly resolved itself into the said Com-
mittee.
Mr. Speaker left the Chair.
Sir Charles Whitworth took the Chair of the Com-
mittee.
Lord North rose and said, he meant now to open the
plan of the Bill which he proposed to bring in ; and as it
might very well be understood by gentlemen in that House,
from the Papers relating to America, that then laid before
them, that an executive power was wanting in tiiat country,
and that it was highly necessary to strengthen the magis-
tracy of it; that the force of the civil power consisted in
the posse comitatus ; and when it is considered, said his
Lordship, that the posse are the very People who have
committed all these riots, little obedience to the preserva-
tion of the peace is to be expected from them. There
appears to be a total defect in the constitutional power
throughout. If the democratic part shows that contempt
of obedience to the laws, how is the Governor to execute
any authority vested in him ? If he wants any magistrate
to act, whom he knows will be willing to execute the laws,
he has not the power of appointing one, nor of removing
one that will not act ; the Council have alone that power,
whose dependence is on the democratic part of tlie consti-
tution. It appears tliat the Civil Magistrate has been, for a
series of years, uniforndy inactive ; there is sometliing radi-
cally wrong in that constitution, in which no magistrate
Fourth Series. 5
for such a number of years, has ever done his duty in such
a manner as to force obedience to the laws. If the Govern-
or issued a proclamation, there was hardly found a magis-
trate to obey it ; the Governor, of his own authority, can do
nothing ; he cannot act, or give out any order, without
seven of the Council consenting ; the authority of that Go-
vernment is in so forlorn a situation that no Governor can
act ; and, where there is such a want of civil authority, can
it be supposed that the military, be they ever so numerous,
can be of the least service ? For I shall always consider
that a military power, acting under the authority and con-
troul of a Civil Magistrate, is part of the constitution ; but
the military alone ought not, and cannot act without the
controul of the Civil Magistrate. How was it possible for
the military to maintain good Government when they were
not called upon by the civil authority ? I propose, in this
Bill, to take the executive power from the hands of the
democratic part of Government ; I would propose, that the
Governor should act as a Justice of Peace, and that he
should have the power to appoint the officers throughout
the whole civil authority, such as the sheriffs, provost,
marshal, &,c. — The Chief Justice and Judges of the Su-
preme Court excepted. I would have them only remova-
ble by his Majesty, under his sign manual, and upon good
representations made here. Every gentleman will naturally
see the impropriety of such irregular assemblies, or town-
meetings, which are now held in Boston ; I would have
them brought under some regulation, and would not suffer
them to be held widiout the consent of the Governor, un-
less upon the annual election of certain officers, which it is
their province to choose. Their juries are improperly
chosen ; I think a degree of regulation highly necessary ;
I am always ready and open to hear those matters discussed,
and inclined to alter my opinion, when I hear better reasons
for adopting any other mode of putting the civil magistracy
of that country upon a good footing ; but until the execu-
tive power is free, it cannot act ; our regulations here are of
no import, if you have nobody in that country to give them
force. Some immediate, as well as permanent remedy,
must be adopted. I therefore propose the present Bill,
which I apprehend will effectually purge that constitution
of all its crudities, and give a degree of strength and spirit
to the civil magistracy, and to the executive power. I
therefore move you, Sir, " That leave be given to bring in
" a Bill for the better regulating the Government of the
" Province of Massachusetts Bay." I propose that this
Bill shall be brought in, and lie upon tlie table, for tlie in-
spection of the House and gentlemen who wish to make the
propriety of such a Bill the measure of their conduct.
Mr. Byng said, that he could not be at all surprised at
hearing that the Governor of Boston had no power, when
lie had not a single place in his gift. It was now become a
fashion, he said, to give awaydiose places of emolument to
men of this country, widi reversions to one, two, or three
sons ; to men who had never been of the least public ser-
vice to this country, in his apprehensions, [meaning Mr.
Bradshaic] Whilst places continue to be given away to
men of this country, the emoluments of which arise from
the labour and sweat of an American brow, it will undoubt-
edly, and very property, totally annihilate the power of any
67
BILL FOR GOVERNMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
68
supreme officer in thai country. Men look up to their su-
periors, and obey tlieir directions according to the emolu-
ments received from Uiem ; and when once their is no de-
pendence in it, there will be no obedience.
Sir F. Norton (Speaker) said, he only got up to know,
whether there was to be an Assembly left to the Arnerican.i
or not? For he was not able to say, from what lie had
heard from the noble Lord, whether tlie Assembly was to
be annihilated or not.
Lord North assured the right honorable member, that
there would be nothing; in this Bill that affected either the
Assembly or the Council in iJieir legislative power.
Mr. Stephen Fot. Can there be any thing so necessa-
ry to alter as that Govermnent which can neither govern
nor manage itself? The People of Boston have behaved
in a most outrageous manner, militating against every prin-
ciple of law and justice, combating against its own consti-
tutional power, and totally subverting every idea of order
and regularity. Would you let these men go on in the
chaos of disturbance ? Would you wish them to proceed
so precipitately to their destruction without once lending
the aid of your deliberations to rescue them from the self-
conceived and false opinions which they have imbibed. I
ho]>e. Sir, this House will lend its advice, and endeavour to
save these hot-headed Americans, not by violent measures
but by firm and manly proceedings.
Lord George Germain. It may not be improper. Sir,
I hope, to throw out a little upon this occasion, and to ask
for further information, to know whether this is to be the
extent of the proposition with regard to the salutary
measures that are to be made and taken in tiiis Committee,
during this whole Session ; if so. Sir, I should be glad to
give my poor opinion, and add my mile of preservation to
that country. I could have wished that the noble Lord,
when he was forming this scheme of salvation to this coun-
trj^, would have, at least, considered that there were other
parts of the internal Government necessary to be put under
some regulation. I mean particularly the internal Govern-
ment of the Province of Massachusetts Baij. I wish to
see the Council of that country on the same footing as other
Colonies. There is a degree of absurdity, at present, in
the election of the Council. I cannot. Sir, disagree with
the noble Lord, nor can I think he will do a better thing,
than to put an end to their town meetings. I would not
have men of a mercantile cast every day collecting them-
selves together, and debating about political matters ; I
would have them follow their occupations as Merchants,
and not consider themselves as Ministers of that country.
I would also wish, that all corporate powers might be given
to certain People in every town, in the same manner that
Corporations are formed here ; 1 should then expect to see
some subordination, some authority and order. I do not
know by what power those are to be formed, but I wish
that they may be formed by some. Again, Sir, 1 think
that the method of Grand Juries ought to be much attend-
ed to ; tliey are now chosen for life, and have a yearly
salary, and these are the men to whom your life and pro-
perty is entrusted. Your People know to whom to make
application, when law and justice are wished to be subvert-
ed by favour and affection. Your Petty Juries are elected
annually, so many persons in each town ; to these men of-
fenders know how to apply ; and when any riot happens
between the military power and the People of the town,
the Jury, being taken principally out of that town, the
power of life and death of the offender is lodged in those
who are offended. These juries, I think, require great
regulation ; they are totally different from ours, and in my
idea, carry with them not only the highest degree of ab-
surdity, but are subject to be led aside to commit the high-
est and most palpable enormities against justice and the
laws of the lanfl. I would not wish to protract the noble
Lord's Bill, by lengthening it out to a degree which he
does not wish it to go, nor to oppose the measures which
he has already adopted. I would wish to bring the con-
stitution of America as similar to our own as possible. I
would wish to see the Council of that country similar to a
House of Lords in this. I would v.ish to see chancei-y
suits determined by a Court of Chancery, and not by the
Assembly of that Province. At present tlieir Assembly is
a downright clog upon all the proceedings of the Governor,
and the Council are continually thwarting and opposing
any proposition he may make for the security and welfare
of that Government. You have. Sir, no Government, no
Governor ; tlie whole are the proceedings of a tumultuous
and riotous rabble, who ought, if they had the least pru-
dence, to follow their mercantile employment, and not
trouble themselves with politics and Govermnent, which
they do not undei-stand. We are told by some gentlemen,
oh ! do not break the charter ; do not take away their
rights that lu-e granted to them by the predecessors of the
Crown ; whoever. Sir, wishes to preserve such charters,
without a due correction and regulation ; ^^ hoever. Sir,
wishes for such subjects, I wish them no worse than to go-
vern them. Put this People, Sir, upon a free fooring of
Government ; do not let us be every day asnerting our
rights by words, and they denying our authority, and pre-
venting the execution of our laws. Let us. Sir, persevere
in refining that Government which cannot support itself,
and proceed on in the manner we have begun, and I make
no doubt but, by a manly and steady perseverance, things
may be restored from a state of anarchy and confusion, to
peace, quietude, and a due obedience to the laws of this
country.
Lord North. I thank the noble Lord for every propo-
sition he lias held out ; they are worthy of a great mind,
and such as ought to be adopted ; and indeed I cannot say
that at present there is any objection to what is proposed
being regulated at some future period ; if any thing can
tend to the relief of the present distresses in America, it is
the unanimity of this House, and of men of such abilities as
the noble Lord, in the projection of measures necessary to
be taken. Every proposition the noble liOrd has mentioned
coincides with my mind; 1 see the propriety of them, and
1 would wish to adopt them. It is not my proposition to
close this Committee before other measures may be ofliered,
which, for any thing I know, may have a degree of prefer-
ence to those I have this day proposed. I, for my part.
Sir, shall think of the propositions made, and receive them
to be canvassed by greater wisdom and abilities than mine.
1 am clear, with the noble Lord, that the constitution of
this charter ought not to prevent Parliament from inter-
fering to regulate those matters in America, which the in-
digested measures of their charter have, perhaps, precipi-
tately been, in some degree, a means of preventing the
peace and quietness of that country from being restored.
Mr. Phipps got up, but the House being noisy, he was
not much attended to.
Mr. Fownall used much the same kind of arguments
he had done in the former debates, and gave a judicious
account of the Government of Avierica. He concluded
with giving to the Americans the character of a conscien-
tious, good, religious, peaceable set of People, and said that
there was not in all liis Majesty's Dominions a more re-
spectable set of persons existing.
Lord North's motion was then agreed to, and
Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.
Sir Charles Wkiticorth reported from the Committee,
that he was directed by the Committee to move the House
that leave be given to bring in a Bill lor the better regula-
ting the Goveniment of the Province of the Massachmctts
Bay in North America.
Ordered, That leave be granted to bring in the Bill ;
and that Sir Charles Whitjvorth, the Lord North, Mr. At-
torney General, and Mr. Solicitor General, do prepare and
bring in the same.
Friday, April 15, 1774.
The Lord North presented to the House, according to
order, a Bill for the better regulating the Government of
the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in North America :
and the same was received.
Lord North, on presenting the Bill, (after the breviat
was read, containing the projiositions wliich in moving for
the Bill, he had mentioned as the ground of it, with this ad- S
dition and alteration, " that the nomination of the Council ^
should be by the Crown,") said, in this Bill there would
be no negative voice in the Council ; nor was the Lieu-
tenant Governor and Secretary to be of the Council, unless
nominated by his Majesty ; that the Council would have
much the same power as before, except the nomination of '
judicial officers ; that he had altered the mode of choosing
of juries, from the hints that were thrown out the other day
t
69
BILL FOR GOVERNMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
70
in the debate by a noble Lord, (George Germain;) that
the principle on which our juries were formed seemed to be
highly approved of, and that of the juries of America dis-
approved of; that he had now adopted the mode of choice
as near the method of choosing the juries in England as
possible ; that this was a regulation of a very nice kind ;
and if gentlemen did not like to have it made part of the
present Bill, it might be separated and made a Bill of
Itself.
Mr. R. Fuller gave notice, that he intended to move for
a Committee to inquire into the Tea Duty on Thursday
next, to see whether or not it was possible to repeal that
Act before the present one took place.
Mr. Dempster desired to ask the noble Lord, by whom
the Governors and Judges were appointed formerly, and
by whom paid ?
Lord North said, the Judges were paid by the Crown ;
and that their salaries were to accrue out of the duties
cliargeable on the tea.
Mr. Dowdeswell said, he was unwilling to let the day
pass without some observations on the Bill, as it was
brought in upon a different plan to what it was moved.
He observed, that Government had now received sufficient
advice for regulating their conduct, and coming to some
decision about what was proper to be done ; but the further
tJiey went, the worse they were ; that the House had now
a Bill before them, which was calculated to destroy the
charter of the Province of Massachusetts Bay ; that if, in-
deed, we were now to make a new charter for governing
and regulating the number of emigrants that are daily
going to America, we should, perhaps, make it in a diffe-
rent manner, and suit it more to the disposition of the times :
but I wish, said he, to see no new charter granted. The
Americans have laboured with unwearied industry, and
flourished for near fourscore years under that democratic
charter ; they have increased their possessions, and im-
proved their lands to a pitch we could not have expected,
and we have reaped the benefit of their labour, yet you are
now going to destroy that very charter which has subsisted
to the mutual benefit of both countries ; the charter which
they have, breathes a spirit of liberty superiour to any thing
either of the former or present times. It was granted in
King William's time, and is more adapted to the spirit of a
free people, than any charter that can possibly be framed
by any Minister now ; but, I hope, before this Bill passes,
that you will, at least, recollect yourselves in a cool, dispas-
sionate manner, and look upon Americans as your children,
and call them by whatever name you will, rebellious or diso-
bedient, that you will consider, at the same time, that they
are froward children, that there are also peevish parents, and
that the ill-humour and disposition of a child is oftentimes
brought about by the petulant obstinacy of a foolish parent.
The ridiculous doctrine that parents are apt to instil into
their children, of " you shall do it — you shall do it," is
oftentimes the means of enforcing the same disposition in
the child, of " I wont." I hate that absurd obstinacy, of
" you shall," and, " I wont," between parent and child.
You are not now contending for a point of honour ; you are
struggling to obtain a most ridiculous superiority, to which
1 hardly know a name bad enough to stamp it with. The
regulations which you are going to enact, will be so inade-
quate and so improper a remedy, that, in my opinion, it
would be better to give up the whole, than to correct in
such a violent and imprudent manner ; let me at least advise
temper in your proceedings, and that whatever is done,
may not be effected with rigour and severity.
Governor Pownall rose to give tlie House an account of
the mode in which juries were chosen in America ; the
House at first did not much attend, but his extensive know-
ledge in American affairs, soon drew that attention to what
he said, which his abilities so justly deserved. He gave an
account in what manner the Council were chosen hereto-
fore ; that they were elected by the whole Legislature, and
not (as had been mistakenly represented) by the People at
large ; that the Selectmen were a kind of Aldermen,
much the same as those in Corporations in England ; that
about forty were chosen in each town, after which the re-
maining ones were generally appointed as persons proper
to serve upon juries, from which five or six people were
taken, as occasion required ; that the Grand Juries were
struck off from capital men, who were appointed for that
purpose. He said great inconvenience would arise from the
town meetings not being held without the consent of the
Governor ; that all business of a municipal nature was done
at a town meeting ; that these towns were, in many places,
three hundred miles from the Capital, and that business
must stand still in many instances, in these towns, till the
Governor's consent could be obtained. He concluded
with expressing a wish that the laws of the Province of
Massachusetts Bay, as far as related to the present Bill,
might be laid before the House.
The Bill was then read the first time.
Ordered, That the said Bill be read a second time upon
this day sevennight.
Ordered, (on the motion of Mr. Doivdeswell,) That
such a number of copies of the said Bill be printed, as shall
be sufficient for the use of the members of the House.
Tuesday, April 19, 1774.
Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to his
Majesty, that he will be graciously pleased to give direc-
tions, that there be laid before this House, a copy of an
Act of the General Court of the Province of Massachusetts
Bay, made in the fourth year of the reign of King William
and Queen Mary, entituled, " An Act for regulating of
" Townships, choice of Town Officers, and setting forth
" their powers ;" and also copies of all other Acts of the
General Court of the said Province, for the regulation of
Townships and Town Meetings.
Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to his
Majesty, that he will be graciously pleased to give directions
that there be laid before this House, a copy of an Act of the
General Court of the Province of Massachusetts Buy,
made in the seventh year of the reign of King William the
Third, for summoning, returning, and regulating the choice
of Grand and Petty Juries ; together with copies of all other
permanent or temporary Acts of the said General Court,
relative thereto.
Ordered, That the said Addresses be presented to his
Majesty by such members of this House as are of his Ma-
jesty's most honorable Privy Council.
Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to his
Majesty, that he will be graciously pleased to give directions
that there be laid before this House : —
Extract of a Letter from Governor Bernard to the Lords
Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, dated Boston,
7th July, 1766.
Extract of a Letter from Governor Bernard to the
Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, 30th May, 1768.
Extract of a Letter from Governor Hutchinson to the
Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, 6th July, 1771 ; with
a copy of his Message to the House of Representatives,
and of the Answer of the said House.
Extract of a Letter from Governor Hutchinson to the
Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, 29th May, 1772.
Extract of a Letter from Governor Hutchinson to the
Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 22d February, 1773.
Copies of the Speeches of Governor Hutchinson to the
General Assembly of the Massachusetts Bay, with the
Answers of the Council and House of Representatives.
Copy of a Petition and Remonstrance from the House of
Representatives of the Province of Massachusetts Bay,
of the 14th July, 1772.
Copy of a Petition to his Majesty from the House of
Representatives of Massachusetts Bay, dated 6th March,
1773.
Ordered, That the said Address be presented to his
Majesty by such members of this House as are of his Ma-
jesty's most honorable Privy Council.
Thursday, April 21, 1774.
The Lord North presented to the House, pursuant to
their Address to his Majesty : —
No. 1 . Extract of a Letter from Governor Bernard to
the Lords of Trade, dated Boston, 7th July, 1766.
No. 2. Extract of a Letter from Governor Bernard to
the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, 30th May, 1768.
No. 3. Extractof a Letter from Governor Hu/cAi/ison to
the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, 6th July, 1771 ;
with a copy of his Message to the House of Representa-
tives, and the Answer of the said House.
No. 4. Extract of a Letter from Governor Hutchinson
71
BILL FOR GOVERNMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
72
to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Boston, Q9th May, 1772;
with an Enclosure.
No. 5. Extract of a Letter from Governor Hutchinson
to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, iiti February,
1773.
No. 6. Printed Copy of the Speeches of Governor
Hutchinson to the General Assembly odhe Massachusetts
Bay, with the Answer of the Council and House of Repre-
sentatives.
No. 7. Copy of a Petition and Remonstrance to the
Kins, f'om tl'e House of Representatives of the Province
of Massachusetts Bay, dated 14th July, 1772.
No. 8. Copy of a Petition to the Kin<(, from the House
of Representatives of the Province of Massachusetts Bay,
dated 6lh March, 177:3.
Together with a List of said Papers ; and the said List
was read.
Ordered, that the said Papers do lie upon the table,
to be perused by the members of the House.
Friday, April 22, 1774.
The Order of the Day, for the second reading of the
Bill, was read.
Air. Fuller said, he did not rise to make any debate, for
he was not enabled as yet to form any opinion whether the
Bill before the House was a proper one or not; as copies of
the charters which had been ordered, were not yet laid
before the House, he would venture to say that no man
knew the constitution of that Government ; it was, there-
fore, impossible for him to say, in what manner he would
correct and amend it.
Sir George Savile said, he had not troubled the House
before on the occasion, but he could not help observing,
that the measure now before the House was a very doubtful
and dangerous one ; doubtful as to the matter and proprie-
ty of regulation, and dangerous as to its consequence ; that
charters by Government were sacred things, and are only to
be taken away by a due course of law, either as a punish-
ment for an offence, or for a breach of the contract, and that
can only be by evidence of the facts ; nor could he con-
ceive that in either of those cases there could be any such
thing as proceeding without a fair hearing of both parties.
This measure before us seems to be a most extraordinary
exertion of Legislative power. Let us suppose a lease
granted to a man, wherein was a covenant, the breach of
which would subject him to a forfeiture of his lease — would
not a court of justice require evidence of the fact ? Why,
then, will you proceed different from the line which is al-
ways observed in courts of justice. You are now going to
alter the charter, because it is convenient. In what manner
does the House mean to take away this charter, when in
fact they refuse to hear the parties, or to go through a legal
course of evidence of the facts ? Chartered rights have, at
all times, when attempted to be altered or taken away, oc-
casioned much bloodshed and strife ; and whatever persons
in this House may have advanced, that they do not proceed
upon this business but with trembling hands, I do also as-
sure them that I have shewn my fears upon this occasion,
for I have run away from every question, except one, to
which I gave my negative. I do not like to be present at
a business which I think inconsistent with the dignity and
justice of this House ; I tremble when I am, for fear of the
consequences ; and I think it a little extraordinary that Mr.
Bollan should be admitted to be heard as an American
Agent in the House of Lords, when in the House of Com-
mons he was refused. I believe it is true, that the facts set
forth in his petition to this House, were different from those
which he presented to the House of Lords ; in one declarinu'
himself an inhabitant of Baton, and in the other omitting
it. I cannot conceive it possible to proceed on this Bill
upon the small ground of evidence which you have had.
Mr. Welbore Ellis. I must rise, Sir, with great diffi-
dence, when I differ from the honorable gentleman who
spoke last, whose abilities are so eminently great; but I
think, that chartered rights are by no means those sacred
things which never can or ought to be altered ; they are
vested in the Crown, as a prerogative, for the good of the
People at large ; if the Supreme Legislature find that those
charters so granted, are both unfit and inconvenient for the
public utility, they have a right to make them fit and con-
venient: wherever private property is concerned, the Le-
gislature will not take it away without making a full recom-
pense ; but wlierever the regulation of public matter is the
object, they have a right to correct, control, or take it away
as may best suit the public welfare. The Crown may
sometimes grant improper powers with regard to Govern-
ments that are to be establislied — will it not be highly pro-
per and necessary that the Legislature, seeing in what
manner the Crown has been ill-advised, should take it into
their consideration, and alter it, as far as necessary ? It is
the Legislature's duty to correct the errors that have been
established in the infancy of that constitution, and regulate
them for the public welfare. Is a charter, not consistent
with the public good, to be continued ? Tlie honorable
gentleman says much bloodshed has been occasioned by
taking away or altering of chartered rights ; I grant it ; but it
has always been where encroachments have been made by
improper parties, and the attack has been carried on by
improper powers. He also says, this form of Government in
America ought not to be altered without hearing the parties ;
the papers on your table, surely, are sufiicient evidence
what they have to say in their defence. Look only into
the letter dated the 19th of November, 1773, wherein the
Governor applied to the Council for advice, and they neg-
lected giving it to him ; and also wherein a Petition was
presented to the Council by certain persons who applied
for protection to their property during these disturbances ;
the Council, without giving any answer, adjourned for ten
days, and the Governor was not able to do any thing himself
without their opinion. Look again, Sir, into the resolution
which the Council came to when they met again, stating
the total insufficiency of their power. This, surely. Sir, is
an evidence competent to ground this bill upon. We have
now got no farther than just to alter these two parts, as
stated by themselves. Surely, Sir, that form of Govern-
ment which will not protect your property, ought to be
altered in such a manner as it may be able to do it.
General Comvay. What I intend to say, will not delay
the House long. [The House being rather noisy, the Gene-
ral said, I beg leave once more to say a short word.] I am
very sure what I intend to say will little deserve the atten-
tion of the House, but the subject is of that importance, that
it requires it. The consequence of this Bill will be very
important and dangerous. Parliament cannot break into a
right without hearing the parties. The question, then, is
simply this : have they been heard ? What 1 because the
Papers say a murder has been committed, does it follow
they have proved it ? ' Audi alteram partem' is a maxim
I have long adhered to ; but it is something so inconsistent
with Parliamentary proceedings not to do it, that I am as-
tonished at it. The Council are blamed, because they did
not give that advice to the Governor which he wanted. I
think, Sir, the Governor might have acted alone, without
their assistance. Gentlemen will consider, that this is not
only the charter of Boston, or of any particular part, but
the charter of all America. Are the Americans not to be
heard ? Do they not choose to consent and agree about
appointing an agent? I think there is no harm, upon this
occasion, in stretching a point ; and I would rather hear Mr.
Bollan as an agent of America (though he is a little irregu-
lar in his appointment) sooner than leave it to be said, that
this Bill passed without it. The House being vociferous,
he said, I am afraid I tire the House with my weak voice; if
that is the case, I will not proceed, but I do think, and it is
my sincere opinion, that we are the aggressors and innova-
tors, and not the Colonies. We have irritated and forced
laws upon them for these six or seven years last past. We
liave enacted such a variety of laws, with these new taxes,
together with a refusal to repeal the trifling duty on tea ;
all these things have served no other purpose but to distress
and perplex. I think the Americans have done no more
than every subject would do in an arbitrary state, where
laws are imposed against their will. In my conscience, I
think, taxation and legislation are in this case inconsistent.
Have you not a Legislative right over Irelandl And yet
no one will dare to say we have a right to tax. These
Acts, respecting America, will involve this country and its
Ministers in misfortunes, and I wish I may not add, in ruin.
Lord North. I do not consider this matter of regulation
to be taking away their charters in such manner as is repre-
sented ; it is a regulation of Government to assist the Crown ;
it appears to me, not to be a matter of political expediency,
tr8
BILL FOR GOVERNMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
74
but of necessity. If it does not stand upon that ground, it
stands on nolliing. The account whicli has just now been
read to you is an authentic paper, transmitted to Govern-
ment here, shewing that the Council refused, in every case,
their assistance and advice ; and will tliis country sit still,
when they see the Colony proceeding against your own
subjects, tarring and feathering your servants ; denying your
laws and authority; refusing every direction and advice
which you send ? Are we, Sir, seeing all this, to be silent,
and give the Governor no support ? Gentlemen say, let
tlie Colony come to your bar, and be heard in their defence ;
though it is not likely that they will come, when they deny
your authority in every instance. Can we remain in this
situation long ? We must, effectually, take some measure
to correct and amend the defects of that Government. I
have heard so many different opinions in regard to our con-
duct in America, I hardly know how to answer them.
The honourable gentleman, who spoke last, formerly blamed
the tame and insipid conduct of Government ; now he con-
demns this measure as harsh and severe. The Ameiicans
have tarred and feathered your subjects, plundered your
merchants, burnt your ships, denied all obedience to your
laws and authority ; yet so clement, and so long forbearing
has our conduct been, that it is incumbent on us now to
take a different course. Whatever may be the conse-
quence, we must risk something ; if we do not, all is over.
The measure now proposed, is nothing more than taking
the election of Counsellors out of the hands of those people,
who are continually acting in defiance and resistance of
your laws. It has also been said by gentlemen — send for
the Americans to your bar — 'give them redress a twelve-
month hence. Surely, Sir, this cannot be the language
that is to give effectual relief to America ; it is not I say,
again, political convenience, it is political necessity that
urges this measure : if this is not the proper method, shew
me any other which is preferable, and I will postpone it.
Sir George Yonge. It appears to me, Sir, that it is un-
answered and unanswerable, what has been advanced by
the honorable gentleman who spoke second, that the parties
should be heard, though even at a twelvemonth hence.
Nothing, Sir, but fatal necessity can countenance this mea-
sure. No body of men ought to be proceeded against
without being heard, much less ought the regulation of a
whole Government to take place, without the parties at-
tending in their defence against such alterations.
Governor Johnstone. I see, Sir, a great disposition in
this House to proceed in this business without knowing any
thing of the constitution of America ; several inconvenien-
ces will arise if the Sheriff is to be appointed by the Go-
vernor ; the jury will of course be biased by some influence
or other ; special juries will be most liable to this. [Here
the Governor gave an account of the different riots which
had happened in England, and compared them with what
he called the false account of those from America.] I im-
pute, says he, all the misfortunes which have happened in
America, to the taking away the power of the Governor.
No man of common sense, can apprehend that the Go-
vernor would ever have gone for two or three days in
the country during these disturbances, if he had had the
command of the military power. The natural spirit of
man would be fired, in such a manner, as to actuate him to
show resistance ; but in this Governor no power was lodged.
I disapprove much of the measure which is before us, and
1 cannot think but its consequences will be prejudicial.
Mr. C. Jenlcinson. I rise, Sir, only to observe, that if
the Colony has not that power within itself to maintain its
own peace and order, the Legislature should, and ought to
have. Let me ask. Sir, whether the Colony took any step,
in any shape, to quell the riots and disturbances ? No,
they took none. Let me ask again, whether all the checks
and control that are necessary, are not put into the com-
mission of the Governments ? Much has been said about
hearing the parties, and taking away tliis chartered right ;
I am of opinion, that where the right is a high political
regulation, you are not in that instance bound to hear them ;
but the hearing of parties is necessary where private pro-
perty is concerned. It is not only in the late proceedings,
but in all former, that they have denied your authority
over them; they have refused protection to his Majesty's
subjects, and in every instance disobeyed the laws of this
country ; either let this country forsake its trade with
America, or let us give that due protection to it which
safety requires.
Mr. Harris. I cannot see, Sir, any reason for so wide
a separation between America and England as other gen-
tlemen are apt to think there ought to be ; that country. Sir,
was hatched from this ; and I hope we shall always keep
it under the shadow of our wings. It has been said, no
representation, no taxation. This was the system formerly
adopted, but I do not find it authorized in any book of
jurisprudence, nor do I deem it to be a doctrine either rea-
sonable or constitutional. 1 insist upon it, they are bound
to obey both the Crown and Parliament. The last twelve
years of our proceedings have been a scene of lenity and
inactivity. Let us proceed and mend our method, or else
I shall believe, as an honorable gentleman has observed,
that we are the aggressors.
Sir Edward Astley. If we have had a twelve years'
lenity and inactivity, I hope we shall not now proceed to
have a twelve years' cruelty and oppression. By the reso-
lution and firmness which I perceive in the House, it seems
to indicate a perseverance in the measure now proposed,
which 1 deem to be a harsh one, and unworthy of a British
Legislature.
Mr. Ward found fault with the charter being left too
much, as to the execution of its powers, in the People, and
he could not think that the Lesislature was doing any thinf^
which it had not a right to do, as he had looked upon all
charters to be granted with a particular clause in it, ex-
pressing that it should not be taken away but by the
Parliament.
Governor Pownall. Sir, the few words that I shall
trouble the House with on this occasion, will be directed
simply to facts, and to the rectifying some matters of fact
respecting the constitution of the Province of Massachusetts
Bay, which some gentlemen, on both sides the House,
seem to me to have mistaken, and to have mis-stated.
As to opinions, I shall never more trouble the House
with mine on this subject. While the affairs of America
remained on that ground, that opinions might operate on
measures of policy, I never withheld mine, poor as they
may have been — I always avowed them openly and pub-
licly. In this House I delivered my sentiments explicitly
and directly. It was my duty so to do — I consider it as of
perfect obligation ; and I hope I have fulfilled that duty.
I could not but think it a matter of imperfect obligation,
even to obtrude my sentiments, and the best information
that I could give, in other places, out of this House. I
hope I have not there exceeded my duty ; 1 have ex-
pressed the same sentiments at all limes, and have given
the same opinion in what I have written to America. All
tended to one point — the pointing out the grounds of recon-
ciliation and peace.
The case at present ceases to be matter of opinion — it is
come to action. The measure which you are pursuing will
be resisted, not by force, or the effect of arms, as was said
by an honorable gentleman on the late occasion, but by a
regular united system of resistance.
I told this House, (it is now four years past,) that the
People of America would resist the tax which lay then
upon them — that they would not oppose power to your
power, but that they would become impracticable. Have
they not been so from that time to this very hour? I tell
you now, that they will resist the measures now pursued, in
a more vigorous way. You will find them prepared for
such resistance, not by arms, but by a system of measures.
The Committees of Correspondence in the different Prov-
inces, are in constant coinmunication — they do not trust
the conveyance of the Post-Office — they have set up a
constitutional courier, which will soon grow up to the
superseding of your Post Office. As soon as intelligence
of these affairs reach them, they will judge it necessary to
communicate with each other. It will be found inconve-
nient and ineffectual so to do by letters — they must confer.
They will hold a conference — and to what these Commit-
tees, thus met in Congress, will grow up, I will not say.
On the other point, should matters ever come to arms,
you will hear of other officers than those appointed by your
Governors. When matters once come to that it will be, as
it was in the late civil wars of this country, of little conse-
quence to dispute who were the aggressors — that will be
merely matter of opinion. It is of more consequence at
75
BILL FOR GOVERNMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
76
this niomeni so to act — to take such measures — that no
such misfortune may come into event.
I hope the House will excuse my trespassing on their
patience — it is the last time that 1 shall speak on this sub-
ject. If, however, the knowledge which my situation must
necessarily have supplied me with, can enable me to be ot
any use in matter of information, on any points which come
before you, I shall constantly attend in my place, and in my
place be ready to answer to any questions on such matter,
as any gentleman may wish to receive information upon, as
far as 1 may be able to inform him ; and in this light 1 beg
leave to state, that althougii by the charter of the Province
of Massachusetts Bay the Governor is obliged to take with
him, not simply the advice, but tlie consent of the Council,
in the nomination of judges and other civil officers — yet it is
from the power of the Governor's commission held under the
broad seal, that all the commissions in the Province are de-
rived ; and cease with the determination of that commission.
All those officers, except the Attorney General, even the
Sherifl's, which an honorable gentleman had conceived not
to be so, and which the present proposed Bill directs to be
appointed and removed by the Governor, are according to
the powers and privileges of the present charter, appointed
by the Governor in Council. The difference is, that in
those Governments which are established by the King's
patent commissions, the whole act of appointment is in the
Governor — which act, indeed, he is by his instructions di-
rected to do in the Act. He is the sole efficient : he may
advise with the Council, but he is not bound to take their
consent — he is not incompetent to the act, without their
consent. His commission gives him full power to act — if
he acts without the advice of his Council, he does, indeed,
break through his instructions, and may incur his Majesty's
displeasure ; but yet the appointment is good to all intents
and purposes. The first is the act of legal power, derived
from the commission ; the second, is a matter prudential,
with which the mode of the act is properly and wisely ac-
companied.
In the charter under consideration, the matter of instruc-
tion was made a component part of the act — by which the
Council were made a component part of the Governor, and
so far forth of the supreme executive magistrate. This I
have always thought to be an original and radical blunder.
If the Bill, as it was first proposed, had gone no farther than
to the remedy of this error, I think there could not have
been a reasonable objection to it — but of that I shall say
no more now — 1 have already given ray opinion on that
point.
Another gentleman (misled by a construction which some
Governors have made of their powers) thinks that the
Council are so much, in all cases of Government, a part of
the supreme executive magistrate, that if they refuse to act
with the Governor, he cannot do any act of Government
either civil or military. I know of no Act in which they
are constituted such part, but in the case of the nomination
of civil officers. In every other, the Governor, both by
the charter and by his commission is, perfect and complete,
supreme executive magistrate. I am sure I can speak from
fact ; — 1 have, as Governor, without communion of power
with the Council, done every civil act of Government,
which the King, actuating the powers of the Crown, does
here within the Realm. And as to the military, if it had
been my misfortune to have been Governor in these times,
and if the interposition of the military had been necessary,
I would not have applied to them for their aid — I would
have sent them an order. I am sure there is no officer
within the Province would have dared to have disobeyed it.
They must have obeyed. The power to give such order
is, both by the charter and the conmiission (which are both
under the broad seal,) in the Governor, as Commander-in-
chief; and I know of no revocation of it, but by the mere
letter of a Secretary of State, which could have no effect ;
but which was at the same time one of the most dangerous
measures ever taken.
Upon this ground, supposed to be the fact, that the
Council are part of the executive magistrate, it is alleged as
matter of crime against them, that they refused to act with
the Governor at the time of the late riots ; by which the
powers of Government were suspended, the power of the
•barter misused, so that the Governor could not act ; but as
I have shewn that this is not the fact, the allegation of crime
vanishes : yet I must own, and I must say, that as it is al-
ways for the benefit of the public, that the Governor should
advise with, and liave the advice of his Council — that as it
is always of benefit to Government, that he should take
with him and be supported by the authority of his Council,
and, especially, in this Province, where the authority of the
country is of more solid effect than in any other — the
Council, and every member of it, are highly biameable, are,
indeed, inexcusable, whenever they refuse to advise, when-
ever they withhold their authority from the aid and support
of Government. 1 do not know whether they be not liable
to censure in refusing their assistance, as they are by the
charter expressly called Assistants; but surely their conduct
was inexcusable, when, instead of assisting, they sought
and took occasion in the midst of these disturbances, to
bring forward as an act of Council, a report fraught with all
the matters of contest and dispute, which were the very
grounds taken as principles by the People engaged in the
disturbances. Thus far as to matter of fact; as to matter
of opinion, I shall not trouble the House with it. [The
few words afterwards spoken by way of explanation, were
so far from signifying that the People were going to rebel,
that they were expressly spoken to obviate that misappre-
hension of what had been said.]
Mr. Rigby. LTpon my word, Sir, what was just now
said is very worthy the consideration of this House; and
if, from what the honourable gentleman says, it is true, and
I believe he is well informed, it appears that America is
preparing to arm ; and that the deliberations of their town-
meetings tend chiefly to oppose the measures of this coun-
try by force. He has told you. Sir, that the Americant
will appoint other officers than those sent by Government
to command their troops. He has told you that a Post-
Office is established on their account from town to town, in
order to carry their treacherous correspondence from one to
another. He has told you, the Post-Office revenue will
soon be annihilated. If these things are true. Sir, I find
we have been the aggressors, by continually doing acts of
lenity for these twelve years last past. I think, Sir, and
speak out boldly when I say it, that this country has a right
to tax America; but, Sir, it is matter of astonishment to
me, how an honourable gentleman, (General Conway) can
be the author or bringer in of a Declaratory Law over all
America, and yet saying at one and the same time, that
we have no right to tax America ! If I were to begin to
say that America should not be taxed, and that these
measures were not proper, I would first desire my own
Declaratory Law to be repealed ; but being of opinion that
the Americans are the subjects of this country, I will de-
clare freely, that I think this country has a right to tax
America ; but 1 do not say I w^ould put any new tax on at
this particular crisis ; but when things are returned to a
peaceable state, I would then begin to exercise it. And I
am free to declare my opinion, that I think we have a right
to tax Ireland, if there was a necessity so to do, in order
to help the mother country. If Ireland was to rebel and
resist our laws, I would tax it. The mother country has
an undoubted right and control over the whole of its Colo-
nies. Again, Sir, a great deal has been said concerning
requisition. Pray, in what manner is it to be obtained?
Is the King to demand it? Or are we, the Legislative
power of this country, to send a very civil, polite gentle-
man over to treat with their Assembly ? How and in what
manner is he to address that Assembly? Is he to tell the
Speaker of it, that we have been extremely ill-used by our
neighbours, the French; that they have attacked us in
several quarters ; that the finances of this country are in a
bad state ; and, therefore, we desire you will be kind enough
to assist us, and give us some money ? Is this to be the
language of this country to that ; and are we thus to go
cap in hand ? I am of opinion, that if the Administration
of this country had not been changed soon after the pass-
ing of the Stamp Act, that tax would have been collected
with as iDuch ease as the land tax is in Great Britain. I
have acted, with regard to America, one consistent part,
and shall continue in it till I hear better reason to convince
me to the contrary.
Governor Powtiall to explain. I apprehend I have been
totally misunderstood. I did not assert the Americans
were now in rebellion, but that they are going to rebel ;
when that comes to pass, the question will be, who was the
rr
BILL FOR GOVERKMEiNT OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
78
occasion of it. Something lias been said relative to requi-
sition : I think I gave several instances wlierein the same
had been complied with in time of war.
Mr. Charles Fox. I am i;lad to hear from the lionora-
ble gentleman who spoke last, that now is not the time to
tax America: tiiat the only time for that is, when all these
disturbances are quelled, and they are returned to their
duty ; so, I find, taxes are to be the reward of obedience ;
and the Americans, who are considered to have been in
open rebellion, are to be rewarded by acquiescing to their
measures. VVlicn will be the tune when America ought to
have heavy taxes laid upon it ? The honorable gentleman
(Mr. Right/) tells you, that that time is when the Ameri-
cans are returned to jieace and quietness. The honorable
gentleman tells us also, that we have a right to tax Ireland;
however, I may agree with him in regard to the principle,
it would not be policy to exercise it ; I believe we have
no more right to tax the one than the other. I believe
America is wrong in resisting against this country with re-
gard to its l^egislative authority. It v\as an old ojiinion,
and I believe a very true one, that there was a dispensing
power in the Crown, but whenever that dispensing ]30wer
was pretended to be exercised, it was always rejected and
opposed to the utmost, because it operated to me, as a sub-
ject, as a detriment to my property and liberty ; but. Sir,
there has been a constant conduct practised in this country,
consisting of violence and weakness, I wish those measures
may not continue ; nor can I think that the Stamp Act
would have been submitted to without resistance, if the Ad-
ministration had not been changed : the present Bill before
you is not what you want ; it irritates the minds of the
l^eople, but does not correct the deficiencies of that Govern-
ment.
Sir Gilbert Elliot said, there was not the least degree of
absurdity in taxing your own subjects, over whom you de-
clared you had an absolute right ; though that tax should
through necessity, be enacted at a time when peace and
quietness were the reigning system of the times : you de-
clare you have that -right, where is the absurdity in the ex-
ercise of it ?
Sir Richard Sutton read a copy of a letter relative to the
Government of America, from a Governor in America to
the Board of Trade, showing, that at the most quiet times,
the disposition to oppose the law"s of this country were
strongly engrafted in them, and that all their actions con-
veyed a spirit and wish for independence. If you ask an
American who is his master, he will tell you he has none,
nor any Governor, but Jesus Christ. I do believe it, and
it is my firm opinion, that the opposition to the measures of
the Legislature of this country, is a determined preposses-
sion of the idea of total independence.
The Bill was then read a second time.
Resolved, That this House will, upon Wednesday morn-
ing next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole
House, upon the Bill.
Monday, April 25, 1774.
Mr. Gascoigne presented to the House, pursuant to their
Address to his Majesty : —
No. I. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the fourth year of the reign of King
William and Queen Mary, intituled " An Act for regula-
" ting of townshij)s, choice of town officers, and setting
" forth their power."
No. 2. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the sixth year of the reign of King
William and Queen Mary, intituled, " An Act to enable
" towns, villages, and proprietors in common and undivi-
" ded lands, &,c., to sue and be sued."
No. 3. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Mttssachuictts Buy, in the fifth year of the reiijn of Queen
Anne, intituled " An Act for a new choice of town officers,
" on special occasions."
No. 4. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the ninth year of the reign of
Queen Anne, intituled " An Act directing the levying and
" collecting of county and town assessments."
No. 5. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the second year of the reign of King
fireor^ethe Fourth, intituled, " An Act for the better regu-
" lating of town and proprietary meetings."
No. 6. Extract of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the first year of the reign of King
George the Second, intituled, "An Act in addition
to an Act for highways."
No. 7. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the seventh and eighth years of the
reign of King George the Second, intituled, " An Act in
" explanation of, and farther addition to, an Act, intituled,
" an Act for regulating of townships, choice of town offi-
" cers, and setting forth their power.' "
No. 8. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the sixteenth year of the reign of
King George the Second, intituled, " An Act in furdier
" addition to an explanation of an Act, intituled, ' an Act
" for regiUating townships, choice of town officers, and
" setting forth their power.' "
No. 9. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the twenty-ninth year of the reign
of King George the Second, intituled, " An Act for revi-
" ving and continuing sundry laws, that are expired, or
" near expiring."
No. 10. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the thirtieth year of the reign of
King George the Second, indtuled, " An Act in further
" addition to an Act, iiitituled, ' an Act for regulating of
" townships, and choice of town officers, and setting forth
" their power.' "
No. IL Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the first year of his present Majesty's
reign, intituled " An Act for the better regulating districts
" within this Province."
No. 12. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the second year of his present Ma-
jesty's reign, intituled, " An Act for reviving andcontinu-
" ing sundry laws, that are expired, or near expiring.
No. 13. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the seventh year of his present Ma-
jesty's reign, intituled, " An Act for reviving and continu-
" ing sundry laws, that are expired, or near expiring."
No. 14. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the tenth year of his present Ma-
jesty's reign, intituled, " An Act for reviving and continu-
" ing sundry laws, that are expired, or near expiring."
No. 15. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the twelfth year of his present Ma-
jesty's reign, intituled, " An Act for regulating town-meet-
" ings in the town of Danvers."
No. 16. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the seventh year of the reign of
King William the Third, intituled, " An Act for Grand
" Jurors serving at the Quarter Session of the Peace, and
" punishing defaulters of Jurors attendance."
No. 17. Extract of an Act passed in the Province of
the Massachusetts Bay, in the seventh year of the reign of
King William the Third, intituled, " An Act for holding
" of Courts of General Session of the Peace, and ascertain-
" ing the times and places for the same."
No. 18. Extract of an Act passed in the Province of
the Massachusetts Bay, in the eleventh year of the reign
of King William the Third, intituled, " An Act for the es-
" tablishing of Inferior Courts of Common Pleas, in the
" several counties of this Province,"
No. 19. Extract of an Act passed in the Province of
the Massachusetts Bay, in the eleventh year of the reign
of King William the Third, intituled " An Act for esta-
" blishing a Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize,
" and General Gaol Delivery, within this Province."
No. 20. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the twelfth year of the reign of
King William the Third, intituled, " An Act relating to
" the office and duty of a Coroner."
No. 21. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the third year of the reign of King
George the First, intituled, " An Act for the more effec-
" tual preventing default in the appearance of Juiors."
No. 22. Copy of an Act passed in the Provuice of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the twenty-third year of the reign
of King George the Second, intituled, "An Act for the
" better regulating the choice of Petit Jurors."
No. 23. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the thirtieth year of the reign of
79
BILL FOR GOVERNMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
RO
King George tlie Second, intituled, " An Act for the
" better regulating tlie choice of Petit Jurors."
No. 24. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of tlie
Massachusetts 6ay, in the thirtieth 3ear of the reijfn oi
King George the Second, intituled, " An Act in addition
" to an Act, intituled, ' An Act for the better regulating the
" choice of Petit Jurors.' "
No. 25. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massarhusctts Bay, in the thirty-third year of the roign of
King George the Second, intituled, "An Act for the better
" regulating the choice of Petit Jurors."
No. 26. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the thirty-third year of the reign of
King George the Second, Intituled, " An Act in addition
" to an Act^ intituled, ' An Act for the better regulating tlie
" choice of Petit Jurors.' "
No. 27. Copy of an Act passed in the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay, in the seventh year of his present Ma-
jesty's reign, intituled, " An Act for reviving and continu-
" ing sundry laws, that are expired, or near expiring."
Together with a list of the said Papers.
And the said list was reiid.
Ordered, That tiiesaid Papers do lie on the table to be
perused by the members of the House.
Wednesday, April 27, 1774.
Ordered, That the order of the day, for the House to
resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, upon
the Bill, be now read.
And the said order being read accordingly,
Ordered, That the Paper, intituled " Massachusetts
" Bay Charter, granted by King JVilliam and Queen Mary,
•' in the tiiird year of their reign," which was presented to
the House upon the twenty-second day of January, 1740,
be referred to the said Committee.
Ordered, That the several Papers which were presented
to the House upon Monday last, by Mr. Gascoigne, be re-
ferred to the said Committee.
Ordered, That the several Papers which were presented
to the House by the Lord North, upon the 7th and lltli
days of March last, and the 15tli and 21st days of this in-
stant, April, be referred to the said Connnillee.
Then the House resolved itself into the said Committee.
Mr. Speaker left the Chair.
Sir Charles Whitworth took the Chair of the Committee.
Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.
Sir Charles fVhitvorth reported from the Committee,
that they had gone through the Bill, and made several
amendments thereunto ; which they had directed him to
report, when the House will please to receive the same.
Ordered, That the Report be received to-morrow morn-
ing.
Thuhsday, April 28, 1774.
The order of the day, for receiving the Report was
read ; and
A Petition of William Botlan, Esq., stylmg himself
Agent for the Council of his Majesty's Province oi Massa-
chusetts Bay, in New-England, being offered to be pre-
sented to the House, by Mr. DowdesiceU, which Pethioner,
he said, desired that the Bill for regulating the Civil Gov-
ernment, and the Bill for the more Impartial Administra-
tion of Justice, might not pass into a law, until he should
have time to receive an answer from the above Province to
letters he had sent.
Mr. Dowdeswell said, after the part I have taken in the
progress of these affairs, and the direct manner in which I
have expressed myself on fonner occasions, I shall have the
less to trouble the House with on this occasion. The pe-
tition I have now brought up is, in the matter of its request
so reasonable, that I cannot persuade myself the House will
reject it. I should wish the affair might be seriously con-
sidered. What is the present stage of your progress?
You are carrying through an Act tliat is to work a total
change in the chartered constitution of a free country, in
order to prevent riots and an improper conduct in the mob
of that country ; — and lest in cai-rying that Act into execu-
tion, you meet with a resistance that you expect, (and in
that very expectation jirove that they may resist vvitliout
the imputation of an unexpected crime,) you hrin<r in
another to regulate the trial of offenders, by which you
destroy the trial by jury, and drag the People across the
Atlantic 10 give evidence in Westminster Hall: regulations,
the flagrancy of which has been sufficiently ex|)osed, and
branded in the manner they deserve. The Agent of the
Province, alarmed at so weighty a resentment, and so cruel
a punishment on the constitution and liberty of his country,
for the evil actions of t!ie scum of the People, presents a
petition to you. What is the purport of it ? Only to pray
you to suspend your judgment until he can recei\e instruc-
tions from his constituents ; — that is, lie begs a whole
country may not be condenmed witl:out a single person au-
thorized by it to appear in its defence. Now, Sir, I think
the pi-ayer of this petition so perfectly reasonable, that it
a])pears impossible to be rejected out of the Court of In-
quisition. It is no in<juiry whether your measure is just or
uot ; — we may admit it to be, in our opinions, just, ])roper,
and political ; and yet assert the necessity of hearing the
Province before you condemn it to a severe punishment.
I will not say it is wrong to act thus — I say it is imjjossible
— common justice — the feelings of mankind, condemn it.
Sir George Savik spoke ably on tlie same side of the
question, as did Mr. Burke, Mr. T. Townshend, &;c., who
all urged how highly cruel it was to pass a law against any
body of People, without hearing either them, or their
Agent, in their defence.
To the aguments of the above gentlemen. Lord North,
made the following reply :
I do not rise with a design to attempt answering every
objection that ingenuity can frame against the measure.
The most ingenious man will iiever be able to sketch a
plan, however simple, to which objections may not be
started. The only point at present before us is, should
we delay passing these Acts, in order to hear what the
town of Boston can say, in defence of themselves. Is there
or is there not propriety in such a delay ? I reply, that it
would be absurd ; the fact of their crimes is authenticated ;
we want no fresh proofs ; no gentlem;m has expressed any
doubts ; we should therefore wait to hear how they might
exculpate themselves (that is, the Council and Assembly)
and lay the blame on the mob possibly ; we should suspend
our measures, to know what recompense they would make ;
we should stop to hear their concessions. Are the friends
of these acts every moment to recal to the minds of their
opposers, the sentiments they were full of at the opening
of the business ? " Go to the bottom of the evil, or let it
" alone ; no more palliatives." So, Sir, if the town of
Boston makes concessions and recompenses, our business
is done, and our purpose answered. Very far from it —
these Bills are not brought in for one or the other : they are
to prevent such horrid evils in future ; to regulate the con-
stitution on the plan of other Colonies, that flourish under
their constitution as much as Boston with its anarchy, and
to indemnify the legal executors of your decrees. View
the affair in this light, and all you objections fall. Let the
whole Colony appear at your bar, and every argument
they can use, every concession they can make, will all be
relative to the past, not to the future. These Bills Sir,
have much more uscfol and more necessary dLStination,
the prevention of future evils. Should we now delay the
progress of this important business, in order to go back into
our old system of palliatives, under tiie pretence of hearing
what arguments may be used in defence of the most
atrocious actions ?
The. motion \\as also very strongly opposed by Mr.
Wedderljuijif,, Mr. Dyson, he.
The House was moved, that the Proceedings of the
House, cf the 14th day of March last, on receiving the
Petition of Wi Ham Botlan, Esquire, Agent for the Coun-
cil of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in New Eng-
land, miiiht be read :
And ti;e same were read accordingly.
And the question being but, that the Petition he
brought up ?
The House divided ; Yeas, 32; Nays, 95.
So it passed in the Negative.
The House was moved, that the entry in the Journals
of the House, of the 9th of November, 1696, of the
proceedings of the House, in relation to ttie Bill for
attainting Sir John Fenwick, Baronet, of High Treason,
might be read:
And the same was read accordingly.
I
«t
BILL FOR GOVERNMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
82
I
Tlie House was moved, that the entries in the Journals
of the House, of the 19th day of March, \T22, of the
proceedings of the House, in rehition to the Bills for inflict-
inoj certain pains and penalties upon John Flunlcctt and
Georffc Kelly, alias Johnson, might he read :
And the same were read accordingly.
The House was also moved, that the entry in the
Journals of the House, of the iJ2d day of March, 172iJ,
of the proceedings of the Hou^e, in relation to the Bill for
inflicting certain pains and penalties upon Francis Lord
Bishop of Rochester, might be read :
And the same was read accorflingly.
Tlien a motion being made, and the question being put,
that the Report of the Committee of the whole House, be
received this day four months.
It passed in the Negative.
Ordered, That the said Report be now received.
Sir Charles Whitworth accordingly rejwrted the amend-
ments of the Committee, which were all agreed to by the
House except one.
A clause was then added to the Bill authorizing the
Court, where an action is depending, to grant a view, upon
application of either of the parties.
Another clause was offered, to be added to the Bill,
that no Sheriff shall continue in office longer then one
year ; and no Sheriff, or Lender Sheriff, shall continue more
than two years successively.
And the said clause was once read, and, with leave of
the House, withdrawn.
Then an amendment was made, by the House, to the
Bill.
Ordered, That the Bill, with the amendments, be en-
grossed.
Friday, April 29, 1774.
Ordered, That the Bill for the better Regulating the
Government of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in
North America, be read the third time upon Monday
morning next, if tiie said Bill shall be then engrossed.
Monday, May 2, 1774.
Sir George Sitvile presented a Petition of several
Natives of America, to the House, which was read ; setting
forth, —
That the Petitioners are again constrained to complain
to the House of two Bills, which if carried into execution,
will be fatal to the Rights, Liberties, and Peace of all Ame-
rica, and that the Petitioners have already seen, with equal
astonishment and grief, proceedings adopted against them,
which, in violation of the first principles of justice, and of
the laws of the land, inflict the severest punishments,
without hearing the accused : Upon the same principle of
injustice, a Bill is now brought in, which, under the pro-
fession of better regulating the Government of the Massa-
chusetts Bay, is calculated to deprive a whole Province,
without any form of trial, of its chartered rights, solemnly
secured to it by mutual compact between the Crown
and the People. The Petitioners are well informed, that a
charter so granted, was never before altered, or resumed,
but upon a full and fair hearing ; that therefore the present
proceeding is totally unconstitutional, and sets an example
which renders every charter in Great Britain and Ameri-
ca utterly insecure ; the a))pointment and removal of the
Judges, at the pleasure of the Governor, with salaries
payable by the Crown, puts the property, liberty, and life,
of the subject, depending upon judicial integrity, in his
power. The Petitioners perceive a system of judicial
tyranny deliberately at this day imposed upon them, which
from the hitter experience of its intolerable injuries, has
been abolished in this country. Of the same unexampled
and alarming nature is the Bill, which, under the title of a
more impartial administration of justice in the Province of
Massachusetts Bay, empowers the Governor to withdraw
offenders from justice in the said Province ; holding out to
the soldiery an exemption from legal prosecution for mur-
der; and, in effect, subjecting that Colony to military
execution. The Petitioners entreat the House to consider
what must be the consequence of sending troops, not
really under the control of the civil power, and unamenable
to the law, among a People whom they have been indus-
triously taught, by the incendiary arts of wicked men, to
Fourth Series. 6
regard as deserving of every sjjecies of insults and abuse ;
the insults and injuries of a lawless soldiery are such as no
free People can long endure ; and the Petitioners appre-
hend, in the consequences of this Bill, the horrid outrages
of military oppression, followed by the desolation of civil
commotions. The dispensing power which this Bill intends
to give to the Governor, advanced as he is already, above
the law, and not liable to any impeachment from the People
he may oppress, must constitute him an absolute tyrant ;
that the Petitioners would be utterly unworthy of their
English ancestry, which is their claim and pride, if they
did not feel a virtuous indignation at the reproach of disaf-
fection and rebellion, with which they have been cruelly
aspersed; they can with confidence say, no imputation
was ever less deserved ; they appeal to the experience of a
century, in which the glory, the honour and the prosperity,
of England, has been, in their estimation, their own ; in
which they have not only borne the burden of Provincial
wars, but have shared with this country in the dangers and
expenses of every national war ; their zeal for the service
of the Crown, and the defence of the General Empire, has
prompted them whenever it was required, to vote supplies
of men and money, to the utmost exertion of their abilities ;
the journals of the House will bear witness to their extraordi-
nary zeal and services during the last war, and that but a
very short time before it was resolved here to take from
them the right of giving and granting their own money. If
disturbances have happened in the Colonies, they entreat
the House to consider the causes which have produced
them, among a People hitherto remarkable for their loyalty
to the Crown, and affection for this Kingdom. No history
can show, nor will human nature admit of, an instance of
general discontent, but from a general sense of oppression.
The Petitioners conceived, that when they had acquired
property under all the restraints this Country thought
necessary to impose upon their commerce, trade, and
manufactures, that to property was sacred and secure ; they
felt a very material difference between being restrained in
the acquisition of property, and holding it, when required
under those restraints at the disposal of others ; they
understand subordination in the one, and slavery in the
other ; the Petitioners wish they could possibly perceive
any difference between the most abject slavery, and such
entire subjection to a Legislature, in the constitution of which
they have not a single voice, nor the least influence, and in
which no one is present on their behalf; they regard the
giving their property by their own consent alone, as the
unalienable right of the subject, and the last sacred bul-
wark of constitutional liberty. If they are wrong in this
they have been misled by the love of liberty, which is
there dearest brithright, by the most solemn statutes, and
the resolves of this House itself, declaratory of the inherent
right of the subject, by the authority of all great constitu-
tional writers, and by the uninterrupted practice of Ireland
and America, who have ever voted their own supplies to
the Crown, all which combine to prove that the property
of an English subject, being a freeman or a freeholder,
cannot be taken from him but by his own consent. To
deprive the Colonies therefore of this right is to reduce
them to a state of vassalage, leaving them nothing they can
call their own, nor capable of any acquisition but for the
benefit of others. It is with infinite and inexpressible
concern, that the Petitioners see in these Bills, and in the
principles of them, a direct tendency to reduce their
countrymen to the dreadful alternative of being totally en-
slaved, or compelled into a contest the most shocking and
unnatural, with a Parent State, which has ever been the
object of their veneration and their love. They entreat
the House to consider, that the restraints which examples
of such severity and injustice impose are ever attended
with the most dangerous hatred, in a distress of mind, which
cannot be described. The Petitioners conjure the House
not to convert that zeal and affection, which have hitherto
united every American hand and heart in the interest ot
England, into passions the most painful and pernicious ;
most earnestly tliey beseech the House, not to attempt
reducing them to a state of slavery, which the English
principles of liberty, they inherit from their motlier country,
will render worse than death ; and therefore praying the
House will not, by passing these Bills, overwhelm them
with affliction, and reduce their countrymen to the most
88
BILL FOR GOVERNMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
84
abject state of misery and liuiniliation, or drive to the last
resources of despair.
Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the table.
The order of the day, for the tliird reading of the Bill,
was read ;
A motion was made, and the question being put, that
tlie said Bill be now read a third time r
Mr. Dunning. There seems to me to be a system of
tyranny adojncd throughout the whole of the three Bills
which have been brought into this House, one of which is
passed, and the other two are now under consideration.
AV'hiie the first proposition stood single, 1 mean tlie Boston
Port Bill, 1 did not think it of sulHcient magnitude to
oppose it, till it was followed by these two others. It now
appears to me, that the inhabitants of Boston are mucii in
the same condition as prisoners surrendering at discretion,
as it is in the jiower of the Minister to allow or disallow
the restoration of its port and trade. (He then gave a
long history to tiie House of tlie manner in which the
Bills had been moved for and brought in ; he animadverted
on the contents of the three Bills, and commented on the
preamble of the Bill now before tiie House.] I have not,
said he, heard of, nor do I see any overt act of treason
stated in tlie preamble of tiiis Bill, so as to authorize the
severe punishments which it enacts : we are now, I find,
in possession of the whole of that fatal secret, which was
intended as a corrective for all tiie disturbances in America;
but it does not appear to be either peace or the olive-
branch — it is war, severe revenge, and hatred, against our
own subjects. We are now come to that fatal dilemma,
" resist, and we will cut your throats ; submit, and we will
tix you" — such is the reward of obedience. There appears
to me nothing of a system or jilan throughout the whole
that has been adopted or intended, because the Bills have
been so altered, in the Committee, that there is scarce a
word remaining of the original plan, if there was any ;
the preamble of the Bill now before us seems to have a
presumption of open resistance, of which no proof has as
yet been had, or appeared at your bar, so as to countenance
such an assertion ; if indeed, that military guard, which
was appointed by the town, had been employed in the
manner as the preamble mentions, it might then have been
deemed an open resistance, but nothing of that kind hap-
pened ; the whole resistance that was made was by a few
rof the mob, urged on by the impetuosity of riot and distur-
bance. Had any thing appeared that bore the least simi-
larity to treason or rebellion, my honorable and learned
friends would have told us that it was treason, and I will
give them credit for their willingness upon such an occa-
sion ; but if there was treason, there were traitors, and
they would have been known and punished ; and if not
known, they would at least have been inriuired after ; but
as no inquiry has yet been set on foot, 1 will be bold to
say, there was neither treason nor traitors. We seem to
be in a strange condition, not knowing wliom we have to
deal with, nor in what manner to act. If gentlemen will
look into the charter, it will be seen that the Governor
complained without cause of the want of power ; it was
the ignorance of the Governor ; he had power, but did not
know it; and I think that tlie gendemen who had the
planning of these Boston Bills, have made alterations in
the Government of Massachusetts Bay, without the pre-
vious ceremony of knowing the old one. There must be,
and certainly is, a complete legislative power vested in the
Assembly of the Province, to have given this power to the
Governor, had the charter been deficient, I mean for the
preservation of peace and good order. [He spoke a lone
time to prove that the constitution of Massachusetts Bay,
was in no manner defective, but that the defect was owing
to some unknown cause ; and, said he, to what I profess
I do not know.] When 1 talk of the Minister, I mean to
speak with all due respect to the noble Lord, though I do
not consider him as the immediate actor of all this. I
know not the age, the person, or the sex, but that I may
not be wrong, I will use the language of Acts of Parlia-
ment, which I imagine will comprehend, and will say, he,
she, or they ; to that person or pei-sons alone do I mean to
address myself. Let me ask, said he, whether these mis-
cliiefs arising from the charter, are peculiar to Massachu-
setts Bay 1 Are there no deficiencies in others ? Yet it
is said an alteration is necessary to make the charter con-
formable to the Royal Government. Now, do you know
tliat when you have altered it, it will not be dissimilar to
many of the others, when the ignorance of the Govern-
ment of one Province appears to me to be as great in those
who are to alter it, as in the others. 1 find great fault.
Sir, that the whole of this arrangement is to be under the
direction of the Crown ; and that the whole civil and mili-
tary ])ower of that country is to be totally at the disposal
of the Ministers of this. 1 really think the motto of this
Bill should have been Tua Casar tctas. He then went
through the different clauses of the Bill, objecting princi-
pally against the prisoners being brought over here, as eoii-
laiiied in the last Bill; and that diliiculties would arise
which would convince gentlemen who had a concern in
the management of these affairs, that what they had done
had tended to disunite the affections of the American sub-
jects from this country ; and, instead of promoting peace,
order, and obedience, would produce nothing but clamour,
discontent, and rebellion.
Sir William Meredith said, that if necessity gave a
right to tax America, tlie stale of our finances at the close
of the last war fully justified the Stamp Act. That he
acknowledged the supremacy of Great Britain over Ame-
rica ; but that the Legislature of a free country must not,
in taxation, or any other act of power, deprive the subject
of his right to freedom i:i person and projjerty. The
security an Englishman has in property consists in this,
that no tax can be imposed ujion him but by the very
members of Parliament who pay the tax themselves,
equally with all those on wliom they impose it ; that no
man had any thing he could call his own, if another could
take his property, and use it, either for his advantage, or
in order to prevent the diminution of his own fortune ;
but that such taxes only might be raised as were conse-
quential to regulations of trade — «uch were port duties.
That a tax similar to that upon tea was imposed by the
25th of Charles H., since that time upon molasses, and
other articles, which the Americans had acquiesced in.
That he (Sir JVilliam) never ajiproved the tax upon tea ;
had opposed it, as he would always oppose the taxation
of America. But now, that the Americans had not
only resisted the Act of Parliament, but laid violent hands
on the merchants' property, it was high time to regulate
the course of justice, so that our merchants might trade
thither with security. That the present Regulation Bills
went no further. That they established the trial by Jurv
in America the same as in England ; whereas the juries
were now appointed according to the mere will and plea-
sure of the Selectmen, some of whom had been fonvard
in committing tliose excesses that occasioned the present
uneasinesses. That the Council was now appointed by
the Assembly, and could contrcul every act of the Go-
vernor ; the execution therefore of every law enacted by
the British Parliament, was at their option ; but that all
executive power must be subservient to the legislative,
otherwise the IjCgislature itself would be a mere cypher.
We must therefore either relinquish at once the right of
enacting laws, or take the execution of them out of the
hands of those fhat have denied our authority to make
them. That we had better break at once all connections
with America, than encourage our merchants to trade
thither without the full protection of the laws of their
country, both in securing their effects, and in obtaining
redress for such injuries as they may sustain.
Mr. Stanley. These Bills certainly affect the interior
policy of America, and are intended for the better regu-
lation of its internal Goxernment. Whatever may be the
opinion of that propriety of regulation with the American,
I know not ; but their submission to the laws of some
country is necessary, as I cannot conceive the indepen-
dence of an American Colony to exist, whilst the balance
of power remains in Europe, supported and protected
by armies and navies. These People must resort to some
State, and it must be to a Protestant one ; and were they
to unite themselves with any other State than this, they
would meet with a yoke and burden which they would not
wish to bear. It is said by some, that this is driving them
to a state of slavery ; by others, that this proceeding will
be ineffectual. As to the latter, if we do not go far
enough, we are certainly on the right side ; but I cannot
sit still, and see with indifference the authority of this
85
BILL FOR GOVERNMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
86
country submitting to every indignity they shall offer us.
There are but two ways of governing mankind, by force,
or by consent. Mankind are to be governed by legal
power, acting by prescribed rules of law and justice ; and
a measure established on this doctrine, deserves the con-
currence of the House. [Here he gave a long account of
the rise of the American Government, and sheued, that
an inattention to it, in its infancy, had induced the A7ne-
ricans so to think of themselves, as to throw the Govern-
ment into a wild democracy ; that it was not till after
the Restoration that any degree of attention was paid
them : He then read an extract from some old papers,
shewing that the Americans had, so long ago as King
William's time, refused obedience to the prerogative in
many instances.] America, says he, is not now to be
governed as it might be a hundred years ago ; and how
is it possible that tiie Council should, in any shape, have
power, when it appears, that if any person, of moderate
passions towards the degree of respect or authority to
this country, is chosen of the Council, and is inclined to
assist the Governor, he has always soon after been dis-
placed ? Let me ask gentlemen, if the property of the
subjects of this country had been injured in France, would
they have thought it a prudent conduct to have sat still
and done nothing ? I had much rather that this dispute
had passed nine years ago, but I would rather meet the
attack now than nine years hence ; and I should blame
myself much if, by any vote of mine, I should separate
so valuable a Province from this country.
Mr. T. Towiishend. The importance of this subject,
and the melancholy consequences which are likely to
ensue, deserve the serious attention of this House. 1 am
not in a hurry to adopt the opinion of Administration, but
I should" be the lowest wretch upon earth if 1 suffered
private opinion to be smothered. I was determined to
give support to the most plausible method that was pro-
posed, and I will say, as to this method. Si quid novisti
rcctius istis, candidus imperti, si non, his utere mecum.
I am much averse to the meddling with charters, but
when 1 see the inconveniencies that arise from the town-
meetings, I don't think myself unreasonable in wishing to
adopt an amendment. 1 think the Juries are properly
altered, according to the constitution of this country, nor
have I any objection to men being brought over to England
to be tried, if it is impossible to find men of cool dispo-
sition and proper temper to try them in that country ;
and if I see this Bill left to the e^xecution of the abilities
of General Gage, I fear not the success of it. I remem-
ber, Sir, that men who were the most violent in opposition
to the Stamp Act, at the time it was agitating, afterwards,
when they found it was likely to pass, were applying
(or Stampmaster's places. I wished much Sir, to have
coupled this measure with another; I mean the repeal
of the Tea Tax, which we might have done without
showing the least timidity, but shall content myself with
giving my affirmative to the present Bill before you.
Colonel Barre. The question now before us is, whe-
ther we will chuse to bring over the afi'ections of all our
Colonies by lenient measures, or to wage war with them ?
I shall content myself with stating — [Here he gave a long
history in what manner Mr. Grenville, as an able financier,
wished to search for means to liberate this country from
its load of debts] that when the Stamp Act was repealed,
it produced quiet and ease : was it then in the contem-
plation of any sober, honest mind, that any odier tax would
1)6 laid on for at least a century? He blamed die late
Mr. C. Toivnshend, with all his eloquence, for loading
America with a tax ; nor was he, said he, sufficiently
cautious in choosing proper Commissioners for executing
his trust ; it was this which disgusted the inhabitants of
Boston, and there has been nothing but riots ever since.
It is the duty of the governing State to correct errors
and wrong opinions. (Here he read several extracts of
Mr. Dickinson's (of Vhiladelphia) book, entitled, " Fai-
mer's Letters," and from Mr. Otis's book, entitled " The
" Rights of the British Colonies."] You sent over troops,
said he, in 1768, and in 1770 you were obliged to recall
them. The People were fired at by a lawless soldiery,
and seven or eight innocent persons were killed. They
were carried about the town as victims of your revenge, to
incite the compassion of the friend&^^d relations of the
deceased, and next morning you were forced to order the
troops out of town. He condemned much the behaviour of
Governor Hutchinson, as an accomplice in the present
disturbances, and commended the beliaviour of Governor
Tryon, who, knowing that he could only land the tea at
the muzzle of his guns, pnidendy sent it back to England.
All other Colonies, he said, had behaved with nearly the
same degree of resistance, and yet you point all your
revenge at Boston alone ; but I think you will very soon
have the rest of Colonies on your back. You have
blocked up the port of Boston ; 1 supported you in that,
and I think 1 have no great guilt on that head, as I
thought it was a measure arlopted to produce ^ compromise
for the damage the East India Company had sustained.
You propose, by this Bill, to make the Council of Boston
nearly similar to those of the other Royal Governments ;
have not the others behaved in as bad a manner as Bos-
ton ? And it is ray opinion, tliat the office of Council,
being chosen by the Crown, will become so odious, that
you will not get a respectable man that dares to accept
of it, unless you have the military officers for tlie Council,
whom I think, in my conscience, will behave well. Let
me ask again, what security the rest of the Colonies will
have, that upon the least pretence of disobedience, you
will not take away the Assembly from the next of them
that is refractory. [Here he blamed the House very
much for not receiving the petition of Mr. BoUan, who,
he said, had corresponded with the new Council, and had
been allowed and received at the public offices as Agent
for the Colonies.] Why, said he, will you pretend to
alter the charter of that constitution, of which you know-
not its present form of Government ; for, he said, he had
observed that the late Governor of Boston (Governor
PownaU) had been, during the different stages in which
the Bill had been debated, going from side to side of the
House, to give information about the Government and
its laws, many of which he remembered ; some few the
Governor had forgot. In France, Sir, it is a custom,
said he, to judge upon one-sixth, seventh, or eighth, of
a proof — the unfortunate Calas, of Thoulouse, was con-
demned upon eight hearsays, which in France amounted
to a proof; but, surely, a British House of Commons
will not condemn on such evidence ; and I hope never
to see Thoxdouse arguments [here a member observed
he meant too loose arguments] admitted as proof here.
I do not know of any precedent for this Bill — it is impos-
sible to put it in execution — and I will tell the House
a story that happened to us when we marched at Ticon-
deroga ; " The inhabitants of that town looked upon
" the officers of the corps as men of superior beings to
" themselves, and the youngest amongst them, I will
" answer for it, was highly treated, and indulged by the
" fair sex to the utmost of our wishes, even their wives
" and daughters were at our service ;" and if the same
degree of civility prevails, think you that it is possible
the execution of this Bill can ever be observed by your
army ? I was of the profession myself, and I beg leave
to tell the House that I am no deserter from it. I w-as
forced out of it by means which a man of spirit could
not submit to. I take this opportunity to say again, tliat
I am no deserter from my profession. [Here it was
strongly imagined, that the Colonel meant to give a broad
hint to Administration, that the line of his profession was
not disagreeable to him.] I think this Bill is, in every
shape, to be condemned ; for that law which shocks Equity
is Reason's murderer; and all the protection that you
mean to give to the military, whilst in the execution of
their duty, will serve but to make them odious ; and what
is so to others, will soon become so to themselves. I
would rather see General Gage invested with a power
of pardon, than to have men brought over here to be
tried ; and the state of the case upon the trial, I mean
in America, would, I am sure, justify such pardon. You
are, by this Bill, at war with your Colonies ; you may
march your troops from North to South, and meet no
enemy ; but the People there will soon turn out, Jike
the sullen Hollanders, a set of sturdy rebels ; a perpetual
exertion of your authority will soon ruin you ; therefore,
let me advise you to desist. Let us but look a little
into our behaviour. When we are insulted by France
and Spain, we negotiate — when we dispute with our
87
BILL FOR GOVERNMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
88
Colonies, we prepare our sliips and our troops to attack
them. It lias been the lanj-uage of a noble Lord, that
when America is at our feet, we will forgive them, and
tax them ; but let me recommend lenient measures, and
to 50 cap in hand to your subjects ; if you do not, you
will ruin them. The great Minister of this country (Lord
Chatham) always went cap in hand to all : his measures
were lenient and palliative ; but we have now adopted
another system. In one House of Parliament '• we have
pa.ssed the Rubicon,^'' in tlie other " ileknda est Carthago."
[He gave a history here of tlie dilferont state of finance
in which France was : that it was superior in every degree
to this country ; that tlieir establishments were lower in
point of expense ; and that France was more ready and
fit to go to war than we were ; and tliat during these
troubles with oar Colonies, France would not lie quiel;] —
But I see nothing, said he, in the present measures but
inhumanity, injustice, and wickedness ; and I fear that
the hand of Heaven will fall down on this country with
the same degree of vengeance.
Mr. 6'. For. I rise. Sir, with an utter detestation and
abhorrence of the present measures. It is asserted by
many gentlemen, that tliese measures are adopted to keep
up the regard of tiie People, b\it I can by no means
acquiesce in that ; a\\ these Bills have no (|ualilies relative
to those lenient measures. As to the second Bill, it has
a most wanton and wicked purpose ; we are either to
treat the Americans as subjects or as rebels. If we treat
them as subjects, the Bill goes too far; if as rebels, it
does not go far enough. They have never yet submitted,
and I trust they never will. We have refused to hear
the parties in their defence, and we are going to destroy
their charter without knowing the constitution of their
Government. I am utterly against such measures as these,
which can tend to nothing but to raise disturbance and
rebellion.
The Marquis of Carmarthen. I do not mean to trespass
long at tills hour of tlie night ; but there is not a person in
the world a stranger to the practices carried on in America,
with a direct intention to throw off their dependance on
this country. The opposition which they fomented, was
not made on acconnt of the tax, but a systematic measure
of opposition to every part of the law of this country.
It might have been tliought by sober-minded People, that
the repeal of the Stamp Act would have brought them
back to a sense of their duty : but, alas ! Sir, it had a
contrary effect. [He read an extract of a letter from
Governor Bernard, setting forth, that " upon coercive
" measures being adopted in this country, the Americans
" seemed to give an acquiescence ; but whenever lenient
" ones were the system of Administration, they have
" always been turbulent and riotous."] It has been ob-
served, Sir, by an honorable gentleman (Colonel Barri)
that a great Minister (Lord Chatham) ])roceeded u[)on
cap-in-hand measures. I do not agree with him on tiiat
point, as I never heard that Minister celebrated for that
part of his character. I always understood that his mea-
sures were deemed spirited and vigorous, and that he was
the farthest man in the world from making use of cap-in-
hand measures ; his character was of a far different nature.
But I refer the House to all the panegyrics that have
been passed on that noble Lord, for confirming what I
say. But, Sir, the time may soon come, when that noble
liord will have an opportunity, in the other House of
Parliament, to adopt and make use of those cap-in-hand
measures which the honorable gentleman has just now
attributed to him, as a part of his character ; but 1 strongly
believe his synem will be of a different kind.
Mr. St. John. I rise. Sir, to take up a few minutes of
the House's time, and to make a few observations upon
what has been said. It has been stated that this Bill is
taking away all the rights of the Americans in one day,
and that it is a total destruction of their charter. What is
this. Sir, but a gross misrepresentation of Parliamentary
proceedings ? I hold it, Sir, imprudent to meddle with
chartered rights, but in cases where the rights of that
charter are exercised to the detriment and injury of the
People. Sir, Parliament has saved America from the
jaws of tyranny, by amending their constitution ; and to
say that we have no right to alter their Government for
such purpose, appears to me the highest absurditv; we
are perpetually altering and ameliorating our own constitu-
tion, upon emergencies ; is there then no emergency at
this present instant, when your officers are obliged to take
shelter in your castle ; when the magistrates refuse to
execute their authority to keep the ])eace ; when your
ships are plundered, and your trade obstructed ; and
whenever a ])erson endeavours to reform the constitution
of that country, he incui-s nought but pains and penalties ?
Is it no defect, that the inhabitants, when they meet to
choose their officers of the town, that they determine u]ion
points that go to the very vitals of the constitution ? Not
to correct these deficiencies in their constitution, hut to
give up the points which they contend for, would be a
base surrender of the rights of posterity. It has been
said, this law is partial, but that that partiality is applica-
ble only to the People of Boston, who have been the
ringleaders of the whole disturbances ; that it is slow, I
agree, because measures of this sort, when adopted on the
line of security, proceed with an aUentive step. But I
cannot agree that the measure is hostile ; if it is, it is
hostility adopted for the prevention of bloodshed. Have
we not been provoked to this from the manifold injuries
Avhicli this country has received ? It is not, Sir, the
strength of America that we dread ; tliey have neither
men, amiy, nor navy. What then have we to fear — do
we dread the loss of our trade ? No, Sir, the avarice of
the Americans will prevent that. They threaten us with
not paying their debts; but I am afraid, if we give way
to them, they \vill not allow tliat they owe us an)- :
however. Sir, let us not proceed weakly nor violently, but
with resolution and firmness. I approve of the system
that is adopted ; and with regard to a fair and impartial
trial in that country, 1 think it not only improbable but
impossible ; I therefore wish well to the present Bill.
Mr. Bi/ng. I am sorry. Sir, to find that we are not
now proceeding in our judicial capacity, but in our legis-
lative one ; I could wish that we instilled into the measure
more judgment, and less of our jiower. It is said this
measure is adopted to prevent bloodshed ; is it then that
you send armies there for that purpose ? It has been said,
that Parliament has bowed its head to every Minister as
often as measures have been adopted. It bowed when
the Stamp Act was made! It bowed when it was re-
pealed I I wish, however, in this present instance, it
would for once not be quite so civil. It has been said,
tiiat these Bills are for amending the constitution. Will
gentlemen call that amendment a good one, which directs,
that the Judges' places shall be at the disposed of the
Crown ? Surely not. It has been said, Sir, that there has
been treason and traitors, but that the traitors are not known.
There can be no treason without traitors, therefore en-
deavour to find out the traitors first, that they may be
punished, to save the destmction cf an innocent People.
It has been urged, that this Bill is only for a slioit time ;
but the same argument that operates for its continuance
for an hour, will operate equally for its perpetuity.
Mr. Rigby. 1 ri^e. Sir, only just to contradict an
opinion which has been imbibed, that, in the debate the
other day, I wislied to tax Ireland. I only used it as an
argument in my speech to tax America, but never expres-
sed a hint that it was proper to tax it. It has also been
observed, that 1 treated requisition in a ridiculous light ; 1
did so ; and I think any requisition to the Americans for
their quota of their taxes, would be both ridiculous and
ineffectual. But the honorable gentleman's (Mr. Barri)
ideas of requisition, go no further than furnishing provision
for a regiment. Tiie honorable gentleman has taken three
or four days to consider of my speech, in order to give it
an answer. I say stand and deliver, to the Americans,
just as much as I say to my constituents, when I give my _
vote to passing the Land Tax Bill ; but the honorable gen- 9
tieman was very desirous to have a fling at me. I desire,
Sir, to support the present Ministry, because I regard
them ; because I have respect for their abilities and resolu-
tion. That great Minister, Sir, who has been so much
famed for cap-in-hand measures, did make his country too
big for any one, even himself, to govern. There is not
a symptom that any of the People out of doors are
displeased with our measures ; but I am told quite the
contrary. America, at this instant, is in a state of down-
right anarchy ; let us give it a Government. I always, Sir,
99
BILL FOR GOVERNMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
90
speak, when I like, and hold my tongue when I think pro-
per ; and whatever weight and force 1 may have been re-
presented to have, connected with my friends, 1 would give
it in support of the noble Lord ; I would vote, Sir, for
these measures, were I upon my oatli, \vhich seems now to
be the fashionable Parliamentary test [alluding to those ob-
jections he always made to the oath of the Connnittee
appointed to try controverted elections ;] and w hether 1
am upon my honour, or my oath, i will give a hearty
concurrence to these measures.
General Conway. I would not take up the time of the
House at tiiis late "hour of the night, but for a very short
time. I never did maintain that Great Britain had no
riffht to tax America ; I said taxation and legislation had
no connection ; I allowed tJiat we had an abstract right
to tax Ireland, and also America, in die Declaratory Act ;
but 1 do not know the time when it w ill be proper and
right so to tax. This measure will throw- us into great
dirticulties, which 1 do not know when we shall get out
of The tax upon tea does nothing for our revenue, it is
no object ; as long as you continue the doctrine of taxing
America, you will never be at rest. Where is this olive
branch I have heard so nmch talk about ? It is not to be
found in these measures. I do not wish to see tiie military
protected from the laws of their country ; if they commit
an offence, why not leave them open in the same manner
as others are ? I have said, " that we are the aggi-essors,"
and I say so still ; after so many innovations of the Stamp
Act, and other taxes, 1 am for cap-in-hand measures —
for lenity and tenderness to the Americans. There is
an universal right in persons to be heard at this Bar in
judicial cases, when they apply for it ; but I rise, Sir,
only to lament what 1 cannot prevent ; and that this
spirit may be rightly directed, 1 do hope that the Ameri-
cans will wait till better times ; for I tliink it is better
to have peace with America, and war with all the world,
than be at war with America ; because, if they are
at peace with us, they will contribute to support us in time
of war.
Lord G. Germaine. I hope I shall be excused, Sir,
for trespassing a few minutes on the House. I should
be sorry to be a supporter of those measures, which are
termed wicked and tyrannical ; but as I cannot think that
this Bill has any such designs, 1 shall readily adopt it.
Tlie trial of the military has been much objected to.
What is it, Sir, but a protection of innocence ? Will you
not wish for that, Sir? America, at this instant, is no-
thing but anarchy and confusion. Have they any one
measure but what depends upon the will of a lawless
nmltitude? Where are the Courts of Justice ? Shut up.
Where are your Judges? One of them taking refuge in
your Court. WHere are your Council ? Where is your
Governor ? All of them intimidated by a lawless rabble.
Can these men expect a fair trial ? No, Sir, at present they
liave no existence as any part of the executive power.
It is objected, that the Judges receive their salaries from
the Crown, and not from the People. It is to me a matter
of surprise, that any gentleman could think seriously a mo-
ment, tiiat this Government wanted no amendment. It
has been said, give up the Tea Tax : Can you give up the
Tea Tax, without the constitution ? Support your suprema-
cy, whatever you do ; legislation cannot but be part of it.
It has been observed, that we negotiated about Falkland's
Island; I wish. Sir, we could negodate with the Aine-
rirans upon the same terms. If they would do as the
Spaniards did, that is, disown the fact, and give up the
point in question, we might then negotiate. The Ame-
ricans, it is true, have made this claim several years, of
exemption from taxation, but they have never yet carried
it. Great Britain, is desired to be at peace with her
Colonies, by an accjuiescence in their claim ; but do you
call such a submission to be a peace ? 1 really think the
(ii-st Bill, for blocking up the port, is the only Bill of pains
and penalties, when you deprive that port of its trade ;
and this was tlie Bill to which the honorable gentleman
(Colonel Barre) gave his hearty concurrence. The Bill
before you is not such a Bill : there are no pains nor
penalties ; their Government will be restored, and private
property protected. It has been said, go to the King's
Bench with this complaint, as in former times; but let me
ask gentlemen, whether thev can ameliorate or alter their
charter ? No, Sir, they can do nothing but say ginlty or
not guilty, by forfeiting their charter. It is incumbent on
every man to give his opinion from his own breast upon
this great occasion ; but Sir, I cannot help once more
condemning that mob of People, which, under the profes-
sion of libeity, carries dark designs in its execution ; but
my utmost wish is, that these measures, in tlieir conse-
quences, may turn out well, and contrary to what has
been apprehended.
Mr. C. Fox. I take this to be the question — whether
America is to be gov(;nied by force, or management?
I never could conceive that the Americans could be
taxed without their consent. Just as the House of Com-
mons stands to the House of I^ords, with regard to taxa-
tion and legislation, so stands America with Great Britain.
There is not an American, but who must reject and resist
the principle and right of our taxing them. The question
then is shortly this : Whether we ought to govern America
on these principles? Can this country gain strength by
keeping uj) such a dispute as this ? Tell me when Ame-
rica is to be taxed, so as to relieve the burthens of this
country. I look upon this measure to be in effect taking
away their charter ; if their charier is to be taken away,
for God's sake let it be taken away by law, and not by
a legislative coercion : but I cannot conceive that any law
whatever, while their charter continues, will make them
think that you have a right to tax them. If a system of
force is to be established, there is no provision for that in
this Bill ; it does not go far enough ; if it is to induce them
by fair means, it goes too far. The only method by
which the Americans will ever think they are attached
to this country, will be by laying aside the right of taxing.
I consider this Bill as a bill of pains and penalties, for it
begins with a crime, and ends with a punishment ; but I
wish gentlemen would consider, whether it is more proper
to govern by military force, or by management.
Mr. Attorney General Tliurlow. The form of the
present law was adopted to give magistracy that degree of
authority which it ought to be vested with for the execu-
tion of the laws ; but this Bill carries with it no degree of
severity, unless the pleasure of disobeying is greater than
that of the punishment. To say that we have a right to
tax America, and never to exercise that right, is redicu-
lous, and a man must abuse his own understanding very
much not to allow of that right. To procure the tax
by requisition is a most ridiculous absurdity, while the
sovereignty remains in this country ; and the right of
taxing was nevei' in the least given up to the Americans.
Their charter is mere matter of legislative power ; and
whoever looks into that charter, will see that no power
whatever was meant to be given them so as to controwl
the right of taxation from Great Britain.
Mr. E. Burke. I have little to say. Sir, with hopes to
convince the House, but what I have to offer, 1 shall
do with freedom. It has been asserted, that the nation
is not alarmed, that no petitions of discontent are received.
How can persons complain, when sufficient time is not
given them to know what you are about ? We have now
seen the whole of this great work ; 1 wish all was good
that it contained. I am afraid a long series of labours and
troubles will succeed. The question that is before you
is a great one ; it is no less than the proscription of
provinces, and cities, and nations, upon their trial ; except
that when the saints of God are to judge the world I do
not know one of greater importance. I will endeavour
to comply with the temper of the House, and be short
in what 1 have to offer. [The HoUse being noisy, several
members going out, soon after which he got up and said,]
I find. Sir, I have got my voice, and I shall beat down
the noise of the House. Why did I compromise ? [Here
he produced the letters from Ijord Hillsborough to the
Americans, which declared, that his Majesty, or his Mini.«;-
ters, had not any intention of laying any further taxes on
Amenca.] He dwelt some considerable time on the
words which the letter contained, as a sort of declaration
to the Americans that they should not be taxed. If you
govern America at all. Sir, it must be by an army ; but
the Bill before us, cairies with it the force of that army ;
and 1 am of opinion, they never will consent without force
being used. 1 have to protest against this Bill, because
you refuse to bear tlie parties aggrieved. Consider what
»r
BILL FOR GOVERNMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
92
von are doing, when you are taking tlic trial over the
Atlantic seas, three thousand miles to Great Britain ; wit-
nesses may be subpoened, and called upon by tlie prisoner,
as many as lie ])leases. Let me, for Clod's sake, wish that
gentlemen would think a little more that a fair trial may
be had in America ; and tiiat while the King appoints the
Judge, there is a degree of fairness that People should the
Jury. Repeal, Sir, the Act which gave rise to this
liisturbance ; this will be the remedy to bring peace and
quietness, and restore authority ; but a crcat bluck book,
and a great many red coats, will never he able to govern
it. It is tnie, the Americans cannot resist llic force of
this country, but it will cause wranglings, scuffling, and
discontent. Such remedies as the foregoing, will make
such disturbances as are not to be quieted.
Lord iWorth arose to answer Mr. Burke. He desired
leave to look at Ixird Hillshormgh's letter, as he had
not a copy of it ; and explained tlie passages in that
letter very' different from what Mr. Burke had: he read
the words, " That neither the King, or any of his Minis-
ters, wished to tax America." His Ixjrdship observed,
Tiiat this was not an expression that carried with it a
denial of the right, but only a wish that no further taxes
" should be laid on." A man, says he, is not factious,
that says America may be taxed ; tlie letter contains an
opinion, that no further taxes, at that time, ought to
be laid. I am sorry to hear a charge thrown out, that
these proceedings are to deprive persons of their natural
right. Let me ask of what natural right, whether that
of smugslins, or of throwing tea overboard ? Or of another
natural right, wliich is not paying their debts ? But surely
this Bill does not destroy any of their civil rigiits ? You
have given them a Civil Magistrate and a Council, which
they had not before ; you have given the innocent man
a fair trial in some Colony or other ; and if he cannot
get a fair trial in that country, the whole being in a
distempered state of disturbance and opposition to the
laws of the mother country, then, in that case, and in
that only, he must be sent to Great Britain. All that
these Acts profess to do, is to restore some order to the
Province. None thai admit the least degree of sovereignty,
can possibly deny the provision of this Bill ; it is not
a military Government that is established, but the altera-
tion of a civil one. 1 am sure that this is adopted as the
best method at present ; I do not say it wjU succeed, but
I hope for the good consequences of it ; and if the
Massachusetts Bay is to be governed by management,
this is the only remedy. By what means is authority
to be maintained, but by establishing that authority from
Parliament ? 1 do not know, Sir, what is the proper time
to lay a fresh tax on America ; but this I know, that this
is net the proper time to repeal one. We are now to
establish our authority, or give it up entirely ; when they
are quiet, and return to their duty, we shall be kind,
whether by repealing this tax, or what not, I cannot
tell; but this 1 will answer, that when they are quiet,
and have a respect for their mother country, their mother
country will be good-natured to them.
Sir George Savile. I shall say not a word of preface
at this late hour ; I do not hold it improper to take this
into consideration in a legislative ca])acity, in ])reference
to a judicial one ; but I hold this to be i principle of
justice, that a charter which conveys a sacred right, ought
not to be taken away without hearing the parties, either
in a judicial or legislative way, which has not been done,
but from their own declaration in the papers on the
table, and which I, in my mind, do not think sufficient
evidence.
Then the House divided:
Yeas, 239 ; Yays, 64.
So it was resolved in tlie Affirmative:
And the Bill was accordingly read the third time.
And after several amendments were made, the Bill was
Piissed.
Ordered, That Mr. Cooper do carry the Bill to the
Lords, and desire their concurrence.
Thursday, May 12, lTt4.
The Bill was returned from the House of Lords, with
several amendments.
Friday, May 13, 1774.
Tlie House proceeded to take into consideration the
amendments made by the House of Lords, which were
severally agreed to.
HOUSE OF LORDS.
Tuesday, May 3, 1774.
A message was brought up from the House of Commons,
by Mr. Cooper and others :
With a Bill, intituled, " An Act for the better Regula-
" ting the Government of the Province of the Massachu-
" setts Bay, in Acmj England," to whicii they desire the
concurrence of this House.
The said Bill was read the first time.
Ordered, That the said Bill be read a second time on
Fnday next; and that the Lords be summoned.
Ordered, That tlie said Bill be printed.
Friday, May 6, 1774.
Tlie order of the day being read, the Bill was accord-
ingly read a second time, and connnitted to a Committee
of the whole House.
Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee
upon the said Bill, on Monday next, and that the I^ords be
summoned.
Monday, May 9, 1774.
The order of the day being read, the House was accord-
ingly adjourned during pleasure, and put into a Committee
upon the Bilk
After some time, the House was resumed.
And the Ix)rd Boston reported from tlie Committee,
that they had gone through the Bill, and made several
amendments thereto.
Ordered, That the said Report be received to-morrow.
Tuesday, May 10, 1774.
The Lord Boston reported the amendments made by
the Committee of the whole to the Bill ;
And the amendments were severally agreed to by the
House.
Ordered, That the said Bill, with the amendments, be
read a third time to-morrow, and that the Lords be sum-
moned.
Wednesday, May 11, 1774.
Upon reading the Petition of several pei"sons, Natives of
America, whose names are thereimto subscribed, taking
notice of two Bills depending in this House, the first, inti-
tuled, " An Act for the better Regulating the Government
" of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New
"England;" and the other. Intituled, "An Act for tlie
" Impartial Administration of Justice in cases of persons
" questioned for any acts done by them in the execution of
" tiie law ; or for the suppression of riots and tumults in the
" Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England ;"
and ])rayin^, " that the said Bills may not pass into a
law,"
It is Ordered, that tlie said Petition do lie on the table.
Upon readini; the Petition of William Bollan, Esquire,
Agent 
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11